US Govt offers Sh1.4 billion bounty on six Al-Shabaab leaders

Kenya: The US government has announced a Sh1.4 billion bounty on the heads of six top leaders of Somali terror group, Al Shabaab.

Those wanted include Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame, who has played a key role in the wing of al-Shabaab and is responsible for assassinations and the April 2 attack on Garissa University College.

Also wanted is Ahmed Iman Ali, who has recruited Kenyan youth and raised funds for al-Shabaab.

A reward of up to Sh600 million is being offered for information on the whereabouts of Al-Shabab leader, Abu Ubaidah, also known as Direye.

Ubaidah was named head of Al-Shabab in September last year, after the group’s long-time emir, Ahmed Abdi Godane, was killed in a US drone strike.

The US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program has also offered a reward of up to Sh500 million to anyone with information on the location of three other high-ranking leaders; Karate, Ma’alim Daud and Hassan Afgooye.

Ma’alim Daud is responsible for Al Shabaab’s planning, recruitment, training and operations against the government of Somalia and Western targets.

According to the department’s website updated on Tuesday, Hassan Afgooye oversees a complex financial network, whose activities range from fake charities, fundraising, racketeering and kidnapping in support of Al Shabaab’s activities.

A reward of up to Sh300 million is being offered for information on other leaders identified as Maalim Salman and Ali.

Salman leads Al-Shabaab’s African foreign terrorist fighters and has been involved in operations in Africa targeting tourists, entertainment establishments and churches.

Since 2006, Al-Shabaab militants have killed thousands of civilians, aid workers and peacekeepers in Somalia, Uganda and Kenya.

Al Shabaab claimed responsibility for the September 2013 terrorist attack on Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi, which left more than 70 people dead and nearly 200 wounded.

They also claimed responsibility for the April 2 attack on Garrissa University College that left 148 people dead.

The US Secretary of State designated al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization on March 18, 2008.

In February 2012, Al Shabaab and the al-Qaida terrorist network jointly announced they had formed an alliance.

Kenya Defence Forces are among thousands of AMISOM troops battling the insurgents in Somalia.

Here is the list of the wanted terrorists:

 Abu Ubaidah, also known as Direye, was named the leader of al-Shabaab on September 6, 2014, after the death of former al- Shabaab emir Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed (a.k.a. Godane).

Mahad Karate, also known as Abdirahman Mohamed Warsame has played a key role in the wing of al-Shabaab responsible for assassinations and the April 2 attack on Garissa University College.

Ma’alim Daud is responsible for al-Shabaab’s planning, recruitment, training, and operations against the government of Somalia and Western targets.

Hassan Afgooye oversees a complex financial network whose activities range from fake charities, and fundraising to racketeering and kidnapping in support of al-Shabaab's activities.

Maalim Salman leads al-Shabaab’s African foreign terrorist fighters and has been involved in operations in Africa targeting tourists, entertainment establishments, and churches.

Ahmed Iman Ali recruits Kenyan youth and raised funds for al-Shabaab.