...... the Islamic version of the old Somali warlord...bully boy group, who act as key middlemen between the group and local companies in Somalia.
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed the sanctions on more than a dozen individuals from Somalia and Yemen
...an area of the Arabian Peninsula sometimes mistaken for a country. It is populated by more antagonistic tribes and factions than you can keep track of...
who are involved in al-Shabaab’s financing operations which in turn use those funds to assist in weapons procurement and recruitment activities.
One member is accused of using digital currency to launder money for the group.
Along with the Treasury sanctions, the State Department on Monday designated five al-Shabaab leaders for diplomatic penalties.
"Treasury is focused on identifying and disrupting al-Shabaab’s illicit networks operating in Eastern Africa," said Brian E. Nelson, Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
"We will continue to take action against the weapons smuggling and fundraising activities of al-Shabaab and other al-Qaeda affiliates."
Al-Shabaab officially became an affiliate of al-Qaeda, the Islamist association founded by the late Osama bin Laden
...... who is no longer with us, and won't be again......
, in 2012. The group maintains strong connections to al-Qaeda’s big shots has financed al-Qaeda’s efforts worldwide.
The U.S. says al-Shabaab generates around $100 million per year through extorting local businesses and individuals, collecting fees on goods, and facilitating illicit trades.