Somalia military court sentences Al-Shabaab financier to ten years

Somalia’s military court has sentenced Hashi Garad Ali Aalin (Yahye) to ten years in prison for managing Al-Shabaab’s extortion funds. Aalin, who joined Al-Shabaab in 2013, was found guilty of overseeing the finances in several districts within the Mudug and Galgaduud regions.

Authorities captured him on July 7 in the Barak Isse area of the Mudug region. The operation also resulted in the death of an individual named Hashi, who was killed during a confrontation with the security forces.

The prosecution disclosed that Aalin’s role in the group earned him a monthly payment of $150 to $200. This sentencing is part of the Somalia government’s broader campaign to dismantle Al-Shabaab’s financial network, which has included numerous arrests and international sanctions.

The federal government recently announced the commencement of the second phase of anti Alshabab operations in central and southern Somalia as the President also declared that his administration will eliminate the group within a year.