Al-Shabaab is responsible for many terrible terror attacks. A couple of examples are: the 2015 attack on the University of Kenya in which 147 people were killed and 79 others were injured, and the attack on the Westgate Mall in Nairobi in which 59 innocents were killed and 150 were injured. In other words, we’re truly talking about one of the worst and most bloodthirsty terror groups in the entire world. As such, it should come as no surprise to anyone that Al-Shabaab is linked to Al-Qaeda.
What is surprising, however, is that a company that’s known for providing financial support to Al-Shabaab can count on the support of… Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
Somali government and peacekeeping forces, need to protect @Hormuud and the Somali telecom industry as they make enormous contribution to the economy and provide vital services.
During my visit to Somalia in 2011, I was surprised by the quick evolution of technology in Somalia. https://t.co/u1vAht8sUo
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) August 25, 2019
The Clarion Project explains:
Congresswomen Ilhan Omar called for the protection of a Somali company with clear and known terror connections. The company, Hormuud Telecommunications, was founded and is run by Ahmed Nur Ali Jim’ale, a chief financier of the al-Shbaab terror organization, al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Somalia.
Although most political commentators seem to have missed the tweet in which she does so, Muslim reformer Mohammad Tawhidi did see it. Tawhidi points out at the Times of Israel that a 2009 UN Security Council report has detailed the involvement of both Jim’ale and Hormuud with Al-Shabaab. Quote:
According to the July 18, 2011 report of the Somalia/Eritrea Sanctions Committee’s Monitoring Group (S/2011/433), Jim’ale is identified as a prominent businessman and figure in the al-Shabaab charcoal-sugar trading cycle and benefitting from privileged relationships with al-Shabaab…
Jim’ale also controls Hormuud Telecommunications (“Hormuud”). Hormuud Telecommunications is a company identified as being one of the single largest financiers of al-Shabaab, which includes large lump sum payments to al-Shabaab in the hundreds of thousands of dollars and these payments to al-Shabaab were facilitated by Jim’ale.
Hormuud Telecommunications has provided key material and logistical support to al-Shabaab to include weapons, private fighters, and ammunition.
Although a lot has been written about Rep. Omar’s private life, I consider this a far more important subject. She’s either knowingly or unknowingly (in both cases it’s unacceptable) supporting a company that’s a known financier of terrorism.
American voters and journalists have the right to know what Rep. Omar knew about Hormuud Telecommunications when she published her tweet in support of the company, and what she has learned since. Will she take back her previous support for Hormuud? Or does she still stand by it? If so, why? Does she disagree with the UN Security Council resolution? Does she think she knows better? If so, how? And if not, why hasn’t she deleted her tweet and expressed regret for writing it?
If the UN Security Council resolution is correct, Rep. Omar can’t be let off the hook.
Join the conversation as a VIP Member