Washington: The Bush administration imposed financial sanctions today on three alleged leaders of an extremist Islamic militia in Somalia.
The three targeted by the Treasury Department are suspected leaders of al-Shabaab, which the United States claims is linked to the al-Qaida terrorist group. Al-Shabaab has used intimidation and violence to undermine the Somali government and threaten activists working for peace, the Treasury alleged.
Any banks accounts or other financial assets belonging to the alleged leaders found in the United States must be frozen. Americans also are forbidden from conducting business transactions with them.
One of those targeted, Mukhtar Robow, is spokesman for al-Shabaab and a military commander with the group. His forces are accused of launching attacks last year on Somali government military bases as well as African Union peacekeeper in Mogadishu, the department said. He also is accused of playing a role in a deadly 2006 attack in Baidoa, Somalia.
Ahmed Abdi Aw-Mohamed, the alleged founder and leader of al-Shabaab, also was targeted. The department said he claims his group was responsible for assassination of a judge in Beledweyne, Somalia, last year. The department also alleges that he coordinated attacks on Ethiopian troops in Somalia last year.
Issa Osman Issa has served as a commander in al-Shabaab. The government said he led an assault last year against Mogadishu's Basil Hotel, often frequented by Ugandan peacekeepers.
