On Thursday, the State Department announced a reward of up to $5 million for information leading to the location and capture of Abukar Ali Adan, the deputy leader of the Somalia-based militant group, al-Shabaab.
The Rewards for Justice programme issued a call for information on Abukar Ali Adan, emphasising the importance of finding and stopping this key terrorist leader.
In January 2018, the Department of State designated Abukar Ali Adan as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224. This designation imposes strict sanctions on foreign individuals found to have committed or pose a significant risk of committing acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States.
While asking people to ‘Submit A Tip’, the Rewards for Justice programme posted, “(Ali) Adan is the deputy leader of al-Shabaab. He spent several years as al-Shabaab’s military chief after previously heading the Jabhat, al-Shabaab’s military wing.
It continued, “In January 2018, the Department of State designated Abukar Ali Adan as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) under Executive Order (E.O.) 13224 which imposes strict sanctions on foreign persons determined to have committed, or pose a significant risk of committing, acts of terrorism that threaten the security of U.S. nationals or the national security, foreign policy, or economy of the United States. He is also listed under UN sanctions pursuant to UN resolution 1844 (2008) for engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Somalia and peacekeepers. In addition, Adan is associated with al-Qaida affiliates, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb.”
Since its establishment in 2006, al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks across Africa, with a focus on Somalia, Uganda, and Kenya. Notably, the group claimed responsibility for the July 11, 2010, suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, which resulted in the deaths of more than 70 victims, including one American.
In 2013, the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya, was the target of an attack that left over 60 people dead and nearly 200 wounded.
In 2008, the US designated al-Shabaab as a foreign terrorist organisation.