US To Give You Ksh1 Billion For Info On 3 Al Shabaab Suspects

The United States (US) government has announced a Ksh1 billion reward to anyone who volunteers information leading to the arrest of three wanted terror suspects associated with the Al Shabaab militia group.

Among the suspects is Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame who initially had a Ksh600 million bounty on his head.

Also included are Jehad Serwan Mostafa alias Ahmed Gurey, Anwar al-Amriki, and Emir Anwa Mostafa. The US government is also seeking help from members of the public to locate Ahmed Diriye alias Ahmed Umar and Abu Ubaidah.

The suspects, who also had a Ksh600 million bounty, are wanted over claims of numerous terrorist attacks in Somalia, Kenya, and neighbouring countries.

Photo of Mahad Karate, Al-Shabaab's elusive intelligence chief and deputy leader. /HAMZA MOHAMED.TWITTER

The President Joe Biden-led government has also promised to relocate those who will aid in the identification of the suspects, if need be, for security purposes.

“Do you have info that can help us find Diriye, Karate, or Mostafa? Submit your tip now. You could receive a reward of up to $10,000,000! Relocation may be possible,” a poster reads.

“If you have information about al Shabaab's illicit financial activities, submit a tip via Signal, Telegram, or WhatsApp to one of the numbers Kenya: +254-718712366 and Somalia: +252-684343308. You could be eligible for a reward.”

According to the US, Karate serves as al Shabaab’s shadow deputy leader and has command responsibility over the Amniyat, al Shabaab’s intelligence and security wing, and the group’s finances. The Amniyat plays a key role in the execution of suicide attacks and assassinations in Somalia, Kenya, and other countries in the region, and provides logistical support for al Shabaab’s terrorist activities.

The group was responsible for the April 2015 attack on Garissa University College that killed nearly 150 people, mostly students. On April 10, 2015, the US Department of State designated Karate as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist under an Executive Order, as amended.

As a result of this designation, among other consequences, all property, and interests in property, of Karate which are subject to the US jurisdiction are blocked, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Karate.

In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to al Shabaab, a US-designated Foreign Terrorist Organisation.

Mostafa is a US citizen and former resident of California, who has held leadership positions with al Shabaab. He is believed to be the highest-ranking US citizen fighting overseas with a terrorist organization who lived and graduated from college in San Diego, California, before moving to Somalia in 2005.

With al Shabaab, Mostafa has functioned in many critical capacities. They include military instructors at the group’s training camps, leading foreign fighters, operating in the group’s media wing, acting as an intermediary between al Shabaab and other terrorist organizations, and leading the group’s use of explosives in terrorist attacks.

Diriye serves as the leader of Al-Shabaab, a position he has occupied since the death of former Al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane.

Before replacing Godane, Diriye served in several positions within al Shabaab, including as Godane’s assistant, the deputy governor of the Lower Juba region of Somalia in 2008, and al Shabaab’s governor of the Bay and Bakool regions of Somalia in 2009.

Al Shabaab soldiers in training. /AL JAZEERA