MOGADISHU (WDN) – The Somali government is preparing to seize nearly half a million U.S. dollars traced to financial networks used by the militant group Al-Shabaab, following a sweeping investigation by the Office of the Attorney General into terrorist financing operations across the country.

According to an official statement released by the Attorney General’s Office, the investigation targeted over 3,500 bank accounts suspected of being involved in collecting and funneling funds to Al-Shabaab. The probe led to the freezing of nearly $1 million in assets, a significant blow to the insurgent group’s financial infrastructure.

“The government is now moving to legally appropriate close to $500,000 from these frozen accounts,” the statement confirmed, underscoring that the funds were being held in bank accounts directly linked to Al-Shabaab’s fundraising operations.

In addition to the asset seizure, Somali authorities have successfully prosecuted 13 individuals accused of engaging in money laundering and providing material financial support to terrorism. These convictions mark a rare and significant win for Somalia’s justice system in its fight against the financial enablers of extremist violence.

The Attorney General’s office also disclosed that arrest warrants have been issued through Interpol for several suspects believed to be residing abroad. These individuals are accused of playing key roles in laundering and transferring funds for terrorist activities and will face extradition requests as part of Somalia’s expanding international counterterrorism efforts.

The announcement comes amid heightened efforts by the Somali government to disrupt Al-Shabaab’s deep-rooted financing networks, which have long exploited informal money transfer systems (hawalas), charitable donations, extortion, and even taxation in areas under the group’s control.

The targeting of the financial backbone of Al-Shabaab is essential for undermining its operational capacity. “This marks a strategic shift from traditional military operations to a more holistic approach that includes financial disruption,” said a Mogadishu-based analyst familiar with the matter.

While challenges remain in enforcing financial regulations in Somalia’s largely informal economy, the move signals growing institutional capacity and international cooperation in combating terrorism financing — a priority shared by Somalia’s partners in the global fight against violent extremism.

The government has pledged to continue its investigations, and more arrests, prosecutions, and asset seizures are expected in the coming months as part of what officials are calling a “zero-tolerance policy” on terror financing.

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