US Names Two Kenyans in the List of Global Terrorists

Two Kenyans believed to be leaders of the Somalia-based terror organization Al Shabaab have been named in the list of United States global terrorists.

The US State Department has listed Ahmad Iman Ali and Abdifatah Abubakar Abdi as “specially designated global terrorists”.

The US says Ali has been coordinating Al Shabaab’s operations in Kenya since 2013 and is responsible for hundreds of killings.

The US says Ali organized the attack on a Kenyan military base in el Adde in January, 2016, which has been considered as the worst military defeat in Kenyan history. More than 150 Kenyan soldiers reportedly died during the raid.

“Ali is also responsible for Al-Shabaab propaganda targeting the Kenyan government and civilians, such as a July 2017 video in which he issues threats to Muslims serving in Kenya’s security forces,” the State Department related.

Ali reportedly served as a cleric for the Nairobi-based Muslim Youth Center, which in 2012 announced its merger with Al-Shabaab. He has been recruiting youth for Al-Shabaab in Nairobi’s slums, the US said.

Abdi is wanted for his connection with the June 2014 attacks in Mpeketoni, Lamu County where over 60 people died.

"Thursday’s designations deny Ali and Abdi access to the US financial system and can assist law-enforcement actions by the US and other governments," the State Department said.