The US State Department announced a total of $33 million reward for ‘for information leading to the location’ of seven Al-Shabaab leaders.

Here is the statement from the Department and  the profile of each of the wanted individuals.

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Rewards for Justice – al-Shabaab Leaders Reward Offers
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
June 7, 2012

For the first time, the Department’s Rewards for Justice program is offering rewards for information on seven key leaders of the Somalia-based al-Shabaab terrorist organization, also known as Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin.

The U.S. Department of State has authorized a reward of up to $7 million for information leading to the location of al-Shabaab founder Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed; up to $5 million each for information leading to the location of his associates Ibrahim Haji Jama, Fuad Mohamed Khalaf, Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud, and Mukhtar Robow; and up to $3 million each for information leading to the location of additional al-Shabaab leaders Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi and Abdullahi Yare.

Since 2006, al-Shabaab has claimed responsibility for several bombings—including suicide attacks—in central and northern Somalia and in the capital of Mogadishu. The group is responsible for the killing of thousands of Somali civilians, Somali peace activists, international aid workers, journalists, and African Union peacekeepers. The group also has threatened terrorist attacks against U.S., Kenyan, and Burundian interests in the region and has launched attacks against neighboring Uganda. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the July 11, 2010 suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, which killed more than 70 people, including one American citizen; and the September 2009 suicide bombing of the African Union peacekeeping mission in Mogadishu that killed more than 20 people and damaged the offices of a U.S. firm that was providing support to the peacekeepers.

In February 2012, al-Shabaab’s emir in Somalia, Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed, and al-Qaida’s leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, released a joint video to formally announce a merger of the two organizations.

The al-Shabaab organization’s terrorist activities pose a threat to the stability of East Africa and to the national security interests of the United States. The U.S. Secretary of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity pursuant to Section 1(b) of Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

The seven individuals named above are key leaders of the al-Shabaab terrorist organization. Aw-Mohamed, born July 10, 1977, in Hargeysa, is the operational commander of al-Shabaab in Somalia. Jama is a key leader from Somaliland who helped form the Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin movement and reportedly trained and fought in Afghanistan. Khalaf, a dual Somali and Swedish national, has raised funds for the organization and helped direct attacks in Somalia. Mahamoud, believed to have been born between 1979 and 1982, is an al-Shabaab military commander and coordinator for al-Qaida operations in Somalia. Robow, born in 1969, has served as an al-Shabaab spokesperson and also has also served as the group’s spiritual leader. Hersi acts as al-Shabaab’s head of intelligence. Yare is the head of al-Shabaab’s media operations, and is also deputy to Aw-Mohamed.

More information about these individuals is located on the Rewards for Justice web site at www.rewardsforjustice.net. We encourage anyone with information on these individuals to contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, any U.S. military commander, or the Rewards for Justice office via the website (www.rewardsforjustice.net), e-mail ([email protected]) or mail (Rewards for Justice, Washington, DC 20520-0303, USA). All information will be kept strictly confidential.

The Rewards for Justice program is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Since its inception in 1984, the program has paid more than $100 million to more than 70 persons who provided actionable information that put terrorists behind bars or prevented acts of international terrorism worldwide.

Source: State Department website

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Profile of the 7 Wanted Al-Shabaab leaders

(compiled from Rewards for Justice web site – in no particular order)

Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Ahmed Abdi Aw-Mohamed
Up to $7 million

Date of Birth : July 10, 1977
Place of Birth : Hargeysa, Somalia
Sex : Male
Hair : Black
Eyes : Brown
Complexion : Dark
Nationality : Somali
Aliases : Ahmed Abdi Aw Mohammed, Muktar Abdulrahim Abuzubair, Shaykh Mukhtar, Abu Zubeyr, Godani, Godane

Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed is the founder of Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin (al-Shabaab). He was publicly named emir of the organization in December 2007. Aw-Mohamed has exercised command responsibility for al-Shabaab operations across Somalia. He claimed his group was responsible for the May 2007 assassination of a judge in Beledweyne, Somalia; and in March 2007, he coordinated attacks on Ethiopian troops in Somalia. He has also served as a conduit for financing to al-Shabaab. On November 20, 2008, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated aw-Mohamed under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism. Aw-Mohamed was also designated under Executive Order 13536 for contributing to the violence and the deterioration of security in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud
Up to $5 Million

Date of Birth : 1982
Place of Birth : Somalia
Sex : Male
Hair : Black
Eyes : Brown
Complexion : Dark
Weight : 150 lbs
Nationality : Somali
Address : Mogadishu, Somalia
Aliases : Bashir Mohamed Mahmoud, Bashir Mahmud Mohammed, Bashir Mohamed Mohamud, Bashir Mohamed Mohamoud, Bashir Yare, Bashir Qorgab, Gure Gap, Abu Muscab, Qorgab

Bashir Mohamed Mahamoud is a military commander of Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin (al-Shabaab). As of late 2008, he was also one of approximately 10 members on al-Shabaab’s leadership council. Mahamoud and an associate were in charge of the June 10, 2009 mortar attack against the Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG) in Mogadishu. Additionally, as of 2007, he coordinated al-Qaida activity in Somalia. In April 2010, Mahamoud was designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13536 for contributing to the violence and the deterioration of security in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Fuad Mohamed Khalaf
Up to $5 Million

Sex : Male
Hair : Black
Eyes : Brown
Complexion : Medium
Nationality : Somali; Swedish
Location : Mogadishu, Somalia
Aliases : Fuad Muhammad Khalaf Shongole, Fouad Shongale, Fuad Songale, Fuad Shangole, Fuad Shongole, Fuad Shongale, Fuad Khalaf, Fuad Mohammed Khalif, Fuad Mohamed Kalaf, Fuad Mohammed Khalaf, Fuad Mohamed Qalaf, Fuad Mohamed Khalif.

Fuad Mohamed Khalaf (Fuad Shongale) has facilitated financial support to al-Shabaab; in May 2008, he held two fundraising events for al-Shabaab at mosques in Kismaayo, Somalia. In April 2008, Khalaf and several other individuals directed vehicle-borne explosive device attacks on Ethiopian bases and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) elements in Mogadishu, Somalia. In May 2008, Khalaf and a group of fighters attacked and captured a police station in Mogadishu, killing and wounding several soldiers. In April 2010, Khalaf was designated by the U.S. Department of the Treasury under Executive Order 13536 for contributing to the violence and the deterioration of security in Somalia.

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Ibrahim Haji Jama
Up to $5 Million

Sex : Male
Aliases : Ibrahim Hajj Jama, Ibrahim Haji Jama Mead, Ibrahim Haji Jama Mee’aad, Ibrahim Haji Jama Meecaad Afkhani, Abu-Zalma, and Abubakar al-Seyli’i

Ibrahim Haji Jama is another founder of Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin and a senior leader in al-Shabaab. As widely reported, in May 2010, Jama headed al-Shabaab’s Jubba Valley administration from Kismayo. He spent several years fighting in Afghanistan, earning him the alias al-Afghani (the Afghan).

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Mukhtar Robow
Up to $5 Million

Date of Birth : 1969 (Possibly October 10)
Place of Birth : Xudur or Keren, Somalia
Sex : Male
Hair : Black
Eyes : Brown
Complexion : Dark
Nationality : Somali; also posseses Eritrean passport under alias Mukhtar Abdullahi Ali
Aliases : Mukhtar Ali Rubu, Mukhtar Abdullahi Ali, Mujahid Mukhtar Robow Ali, Shaykh Mukhtar Robo Ali, Abu Mansur, Abu Mansour

Mukhtar Robow has served as the spokesperson for Harakat Shabaab al-Mujahidin’s (al-Shabaab), communicating to the press and public on its behalf. He has also served as al-Shabaab’s spiritual leader and as its military commander in parts of Southern Somalia. As an al-Shabaab military commander, Robow has targeted Somali Transitional Federal Government (TFG), Ethiopian, and African Union troops in Somalia. In December 2007, al-Shaabab forces under Robow’s command attacked bases of the Somali government forces, Ethiopian forces, and African Union peacekeepers in Mogadishu. In addition, Robow and former al-Shabaab leader Aden Hashi Ayrow (deceased) were responsible for the November 2006 suicide attack against a TFG checkpoint in Baidoa, Somalia. The attack killed at least eight and wounded four. On November 20, 2008, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Robow under Executive Order 13224, which targets terrorists and those providing support to terrorists or acts of terrorism.

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Abdullahi Yare
Up to $3 million

Place of Birth : Somalia
Sex : Male
Hair : Black
Eyes : Brown
Race : Black
Nationality : Somali
Aliases : Abdullahi Yarisow, Ubeyd, Mohamed Mowlid

Abdullahi Yare is the head of media for al-Shabaab. He also serves as deputy to Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed (Godane), the founder and emir of al-Shabaab.

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Wanted
Information leading to the location of
Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi 
Up to $3 million

Aliases : Zakariye Ismail Ahmed Hirsi, Zaki Madobe, Ahmed Diriye

Zakariya Ismail Ahmed Hersi is al-Shabaab’s chief of intelligence.

Al-Shabaab was the militant wing of the Somali Council of Islamic Courts that took over most of southern Somalia in the second half of 2006. Al-Shabaab has continued its violent insurgency in southern and central Somalia. The group has claimed responsibility for many bombings—including various types of suicide attacks—in Mogadishu and in central and northern Somalia, typically targeting Somali Government officials and perceived allies of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia. Al-Shabaab was likely responsible for a wave of five coordinated suicide car bombings in October 2008 that simultaneously hit targets in two cities in northern Somalia, killing at least 26 people and injuring 29 others. Al-Shabaab was responsible for the twin suicide bombings in Kampala, Uganda, on July 11, 2010, which killed more than 70 people, including one American. The group is responsible for the assassination of Somali peace activists, international aid workers, numerous civil society figures, and journalists. In February 2012, al-Shabaab and al-Qaida announced their formal alliance.

The U.S. Department of State named al-Shabaab a Foreign Terrorist Organization under Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (as amended) on February 26, 2008, and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist entity under Executive Order 13224 on February 29, 2008.

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Check the Somalia archive or the Terrorism archive for related posts.