Mogadishu, Somalia – A court in Somalia sentenced a woman to six years in prison after confirming her direct connections to Al-Shabaab militants, the group terrorizing civilians across the Horn of Africa nation.
Court records showed she maintained direct ties to Al-Shabaab, facilitated financing for the terrorist group, and participated in money laundering.
Prosecutors revealed that Maryan Mohamed Nur oversaw six bank accounts and six cellphone numbers used to channel nearly $2.2 million toward terrorism financing, including explosions and assassinations, among other accusations.
The group generates about $120 million yearly from exploiting civilians and external sources, directing funds to weapons purchases and fighter payments. Disrupting this revenue remains a key battleground for military forces.
The Somali government has shut down bank accounts tied to Al-Shabaab extremists and restricted mobile money transfer services. Beyond military campaigns, authorities seek to sever the group’s financial lifelines.
Meanwhile, security forces eliminated a senior Al-Shabaab commander in an overnight raid alongside local troops in the Cali Heele area, roughly 30 km west of Masagawaay in central Galgaduud region.
The military identified the deceased militant as Ahmed Sheikh Omar Cadow Gacal, a commander who orchestrated attacks in Middle Shabelle and managed improvised explosive device operations across Middle Shabelle, Hiiraan, and Galgaduud.
Officials labeled him a central figure in planning assaults on civilians. The government lauded the forces for their effective operations against Al-Shabaab in the country’s central and southern areas.
