The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has imposed sanctions on Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf (ina waran), the head of the finance office of the Somalia-based affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS).
Yusuf has been designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT), which means that his assets in the United States are frozen and U.S. citizens and businesses are prohibited from engaging in any transactions with him, read the statement.
According the OFAC, Yusuf has played a key role in the delivery of foreign fighters, supplies, and ammunition on behalf of ISIS-Somalia. He has also been responsible for managing the revenue generated by the group and has facilitated transfers for ISIS.
In a statement, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson said that the sanctions “demonstrate the U.S. commitment to leveraging our authorities in support to our partners, including the Federal Government of Somalia, in their efforts to counter terrorist financing and strengthen national and regional stability and security.”
ISIS-Somalia is one of the most significant ISIS affiliates in Africa. The group generates revenue through a variety of means, including extortion, taxation, and smuggling.
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