US, Gulf nations sanction 15 Al-Shabaab members over funding activities

The United States and six Gulf countries have jointly sanctioned 15 individuals accused of supporting Al-Shabaab through financial and logistical activities.

The US Department of the Treasury announced the move on Monday in coordination with the Terrorist Financing Targeting Center (TFTC). The TFTC includes the US and Gulf Cooperation Council members: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

“These targets were involved in a wide range of activities in support of Al-Shabaab, including fundraising and the distribution of improvised explosive devices (IEDs),” the statement said.

The individuals operate in the Lower Shabelle, Lower Juba, and Middle Juba regions. According to the statement, they played roles in collecting funds and supplying material support to the group.

The TFTC was established in 2017 to coordinate efforts against terrorism financing. It employs targeted sanctions, information sharing, and joint actions.

The US has issued similar sanctions in the past. However, questions remain over the impact of such measures on the group’s financial system, which relies on extortion and informal taxation in areas under its control.