US Offers $21 Million Cash Reward for Information on Four Al-Shabaab Leaders

The US has announced a combined cash reward of $21 million for information leading to the arrest of four al-Shabaab leaders.

They include Abu Ubadiah (leader), Mahad Karate (Amniyat Commander), Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (Financial Facilitator), and Jafar (Facilitator and Operational Planner). 

The US Department of State urged anyone with information on the whereabouts of the four to share it through their tip lines. 

“Al-Shabaab’s activities continue to threaten the peace, security, and stability of the region. The Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering rewards of up to $6 million for information on Al-Shabaab leaders. Call or text our tip lines via SMS, Signal, Viber, and WhatsApp,” read the notice.

The department says Abu Ubaidah, alias Direye, rose to power in September 2014 following the death of former Al-Shabaab emir Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed. He is a member of the Dir clan from the Kismayo region of Somalia. The department offered a reward of $6 million for information leading to his arrest.

Mahad Karate, aka Abdirahman Mohammed Warsame, serves as al-Shabaab’s deputy leader and commands the Amniyat, the militia’s intelligence and security wing that plays a key role in the execution of suicide attacks and assassinations in Somalia, Kenya, and other countries in the region. A reward of $5 million was offered for information leading to his arrest.

Fuad Mohammed, alias Fuad Shongale, has allegedly facilitated financial support to Al-Shabaab since 2008. The US has offered a reward of $5 million for information leading to his arrest.

The US Department of State says Jafar whose face is unknown serves as Al-Shabaab’s chief of explosives and is responsible for attack operations in Mogadishu. A $5 million reward is offered for information leading to his arrest.