Kuwait – In a significant move to curb terrorism financing and illicit money flows, Kuwaiti authorities have placed 16 Somali nationals on a watchlist of individuals suspected of involvement in terrorism financing and money laundering activities.
The list includes a total of 118 individuals from various nationalities, signaling Kuwait’s heightened vigilance and international cooperation in tackling financial crimes.
The announcement was made this week by Kuwaiti security agencies in collaboration with regional and international financial intelligence units.
According to sources familiar with the matter, the 16 Somali individuals are suspected of operating within informal money transfer networks and shell businesses used to channel funds to extremist groups in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.
Kuwait’s move aligns with efforts led by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and other global bodies to ensure financial systems are not exploited for terrorism or organized crime.
The Somali government has yet to issue an official statement, but security experts say the development could have serious diplomatic and legal implications.
Kuwait has stepped up financial surveillance following mounting pressure from Western allies to dismantle transnational terror funding pipelines, especially those involving the Horn of Africa region.
Investigations are ongoing, and further legal action is expected.