Wednesday March 6, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) - Somali government has seized seven million US dollars, closed 670 telephone numbers, and shut down 110 merchant accounts reportedly linked with terrorist networks.
According to a statement from the government on Wednesday, these numbers and accounts were used by terrorist networks to threaten, extort, and hoard money from Somali businesses.
"The government is committed to continuing the fight against financial support for terrorists and thanks the businessmen and Somali community for their ongoing cooperation," the statement adds.
The government also urged citizens who encounter financial activities related to terrorism to inform financial and security agencies to address the threat immediately.
"The government of Somalia warns businessmen and the general public not to pay extortion money used by terrorists to harass the Somali people," the statement reads.
However, the government did not provide further details regarding where the money was seized, the duration of the operation, or the whereabouts of the people arrested.
Last year, the government closed around 250 accounts linked to militants in four banks and also disrupted the network and data services of approximately 70 mobile phones used by militants to transfer money.
Al-Shabab has funded itself for years by extorting businesses in Mogadishu and collecting taxes in areas under its control.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud declared a "total war" against the al-Qaida-linked militants shortly after being elected in 2022.