Mogadishu, Somalia -Somalia-based militant group Al-Shabaab issued a statement rejecting claims by the Trump administration that Somalis in Minnesota send money to support the insurgents, accusing U.S. officials of scapegoating the Somali-American community.
In an English-language statement dated 27 November 2025, the Al-Qaeda-aligned group stated it categorically rejects the baseless accusations made by the American crusaders who have alleged that Somali residents of Minnesota are financing the Mujahideen. Not only are these accusations inflammatory and unfounded, but they aim to malign the entire Somali community to portray them as a threat.
The statement comes after renewed assertions from President Donald Trump and senior administration officials suggesting Somali-Americans fund militant operations abroad. Community leaders in Minnesota have repeatedly denied such links.
Al-Shabaab, designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., accused U.S. officials of fueling hostility.
Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujahideen notes with concern the growing wave of hostility, discrimination, and hate-filled rhetoric directed at Somalis by the U.S. government, including President Trump. Such baseless claims merely seek to shift blame onto the Somali community in the U.S. while deflecting attention from the disastrous political failures and immense challenges facing the Trump administration, the group said.
The group also portrayed the accusations as part of a long-standing pattern of U.S. animosity, alleging Washington has caused mass civilian casualties in Somalia since the 1990s. It claimed the new assertions aim to justify hate against Somali Americans.
While reaffirming its commitment to combat U.S. forces, Al-Shabaab opposed using its name as a pretext for targeting Somali civilians.
While Harakat Al-Shabaab Al Mujihadeen will not waver in its commitment to defend the religion, people, and territorial integrity of Somalia against the disbelieving crusaders spearheaded by the United States, it rejects any attempt to misuse its name to justify discrimination, suffering, and harassment of the Somali people both within Somalia and abroad, it said.
U.S. officials have not yet formally responded to the latest statement.