The US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program has announced a reward of up to $5 million for information that leads to the identification or location of Ali Mohamed Rage, a senior leader of the terrorist organization al-Shabaab. Rage, also known as Ali Dheere, has been al-Shabaab’s chief spokesperson since May 2009 and has been involved in planning attacks in Kenya and Somalia.
Al-Shabaab is responsible for numerous terrorist attacks that have caused loss of life in Kenya, Somalia, and neighbouring countries, including the deaths of US citizens. The group continues to plan and plot to commit terrorist acts against the United States, US interests, and foreign partners.
Rage, who was born in the Hawlwadag district of Mogadishu, Somalia in 1966, was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) by the Department of State on August 6, 2021. The designation blocks all property and interests in property belonging to him and exposes persons engaging in certain transactions with him to the designation. The US may sanction any foreign financial institution that facilitates a significant financial transaction or provides significant financial services to Rage.
The UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee added Rage to its Sanctions List on February 18, 2022, pursuant to paragraph 43(a) of resolution 2093 (2013) for engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Somalia. The UN designation requires UN member states to impose an arms embargo, including related training and financial assistance, a travel ban, and an assets freeze on Rage.
Dheere, who is from the Murusade sub-clan of the Hawiye clan, replaced Mukhtar Robow as Al-Shabaab’s spokesman in May 2009. He has maintained this position since 2009 and is involved in the group’s media and education departments. Dheere regularly provides statements and justifications for Al-Shabaab’s attacks and commentary relevant to al-Shabaab or al-Qaida’s agenda.
The US Department of State designated al-Shabaab as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) and Specially Designated Global Terrorist in March 2008. The UN Security Council’s Somalia Sanctions Committee added al-Shabaab to the 1844 Sanctions List in April 2010 pursuant to paragraph 8 of resolution 1844 (2008).
In November 2022, the US Department of State’s Rewards for Justice (RFJ) program increased its reward offers to up to $10 million each for information leading to the identification or location of al-Shabaab key leaders Ahmed Diriye, Mahad Karate, and Jehad Mostafa. RFJ also offered a reward of up to $10 million for information leading to the disruption of the financial mechanisms of al-Shabaab. This announcement marks the first time that the Department has offered a reward for information on al-Shabaab’s fundraising and financial facilitation networks.
Counterterrorism analysts believe that the new rewards could increase pressure on al-Shabaab as it faces a multi-pronged offensive by the Somali government and local clan militias.
