U.S. Treasury Sanctions ISIS-Somalia Weapons Trafficking Network

In Washington The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’s affiliate in Somalia (ISIS-Somalia) for the first time on Tuesday (ISIS).

This action follows the recent October 17, 2022 designations of Al-Shabaab financial facilitators and weapons smugglers by OFAC, and it targets a network of weapons traffickers, their allies, and a related company that has helped transfer weapons to a number of terrorist organizations.

“Several of the people listed have specifically sold weaponry to al-Shabaab or were present members of the organization. The persons and organization named are crucial links in a network that traffics in weapons and is intimately linked to ISIS-Somalia, according to the U.S. Treasury.

The names of these people are: Liibaan Yousuf Mohamed (Mohamed), Abdirahman Mohamed Omar, Mahad Isse Aden (Aden), Isse Mohamoud Yusuf (Yusuf), Abdirahman Fahiye Isse Mohamud (Fahiye), Mohamed Ahmed Qahiye (Qahiye), Ahmed Haji Ali Haji Omar (H (Bakr).

With close ties to al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and al-Shabaab, these networks mostly operate between Yemen and Somalia.

A key ISIS supporter in Brazil who has sought to act as a contact for the terrorist organization was also designated by the Treasury.

To spread fear, terrorist organizations operating in the area continue to carry out violent attacks in Somalia, specifically targeting Somali citizens, government employees, and first responders.

Al-Shabaab took credit for a deadly attack in Mogadishu on October 29, 2022, which left more than 100 people dead and about 300 civilians injured.

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson remarked, “We extend our profound condolences to all who lost loved ones and were injured in Saturday’s horrible incident and strongly condemn this inexcusable act of terrorism.”

“Today, we specifically target the network that finances and supplies al-Shabaab and ISIS-Somalia in order to counter their terrorist activities. The breadth of ISIS-integration Somalia’s with unlawful networks and other terrorist groups operating in the area is shown by the participation of individuals designated today in other criminal activity, such as piracy and illegal fishing. Treasury is devoted to cooperating with local allies to stop the funding of ISIS and al-Shabaab.

Under the leadership of Abdiqadr Mumin (Mumin), a former top figure in an al-Shabaab branch active in the Puntland region of Somalia, ISIS-Somalia swore allegiance to ISIS in October 2015.

According to E.O. 13224, the Department of State classified Mumin and ISIS-Somalia as Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGT) in 2016 and 2018.

Changing the source of the income

The majority of ISIS-revenue Somalia’s comes from extorting local communities for money and recruiting, frequently under fear of violence.

ISIS-Somalia has continued to target people with vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) strikes. Somali businesspeople and citizens who refuse to support them financially or with supplies are punished, intimidated, and killed by the gang.

Despite ISIS-efforts Somalia’s to make money, its members are paid meager salaries. In order to secure weapons and other resources, ISIS-Somalia frequently collaborates with other terrorist groups like al-Shabaab and Somali pirates and smuggling companies, who will sell to any paying buyer.

Impact of sanctions

All of these people’s assets, including any interests in their assets, that are in the country or in the possession or control of Americans must be frozen and reported to OFAC.

Additionally, any entities that are directly or indirectly owned by one or more prohibited persons in excess of 50% are likewise blocked.

OFAC regulations usually forbid all transactions involving any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked people by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions transiting the United States).

Additionally, any who conduct specific transactions with the individuals listed today may be subject to fines or enforcement action themselves.

Any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates a substantial transaction or renders significant financial services for any of the targets named today could be subject to U.S. penalties as well, unless an exception applies.