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| Terror Networks | ||
| $5 million bounties for American terrorists | ||
| 2013-03-21 | ||
| The State Department has put a multimillion-dollar bounty on the heads of two Americans who the United States claims belong to an al Qaeda affiliate in Somalia, CNN has learned. Posters and matchbooks in Somali and English emblazoned with the names and pictures of Omar Shafik Hammami and Jehad Serwan Mostafa tout rewards up to $5 million each for information leading to their arrest or conviction.
The rewards are being offered through the State Department's Rewards for Justice Program. Hammami and Mostafa are members of Al-Shabaab, the al Qaeda affiliate in Somalia, and "have made significant contributions to this terrorist organization's media and military activities," according to a State Department statement on the rewards, obtained by CNN. They are both are believed to be in Somalia and speak English, Arabic and Somali. A senior FBI official said the United States has information that both men "had a persistent interest in targeting U.S. interests" and are "believed to be involved in planning attacks on U.S. persons or property." But it is unclear what specific attacks against Americans, even ones that have been thwarted, these men have taken part in. Officials said that information is classified. Hammami, a 29-year-old Alabama native, moved to Somalia in 2006. The State Department claims he joined Al-Shabaab there and received training from Islamic militants, rising through the organization's ranks to command a contingent of foreign fighters. Officials say he was also a "propagandist" for the group, helping to recruit English-speaking youth through writings, rap songs and video statements. An Alabama court indicted him in 2009 on charges of providing support to a terrorist group. In July 2011, the Treasury Department placed him on a blacklist prohibiting Americans from doing business with individuals and groups threatening stability in Somalia. Hammami has been engaged in a public rift with Al-Shabaab over the past year. Last March, he first expressed concern about his safety in an extraordinary Web video. He has since criticized the group's leaders for corruption and living extravagant lifestyles with money fighters collect from Somali residents, and for fighting only in Somalia while ignoring global jihad. Hammami's family has said they fear for his life.
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| Posted by:tipper |
| #3 and of course, their passports have been invalidated, right? right? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2013-03-21 20:28 |
| #2 Five million each, eh? We could run Rantburg for a long time on that, even if we had to subcontract the job out. |
| Posted by: SteveS 2013-03-21 16:46 |
| #1 I thought there was a sequester going on? |
| Posted by: Pappy 2013-03-21 16:36 |