Overview
Abdullahi Osman Mohamed is a U.S.-designated al-Shabaab senior explosives expert.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed,” Rewards for Justice, July 15, 2023, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdullahi-osman-mohamed/. The U.S. Department of State designated Mohamed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) on November 17, 2020.“State Department Designates Two Senior Al-Shabaab Leaders as Terrorists,” U.S. Department of State, November 17, 2020, https://www.state.gov/state-department-designates-two-senior-al-shabaab-leaders-as-terrorists/.
Mohamed first joined al-Kataib, the media wing of al-Shabaab, in 2008. Since at least 2020, Mohamed has served as the leader of al-Kataib.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed,” Rewards for Justice, July 15, 2023, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdullahi-osman-mohamed/; “Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow,” United Nations Security Council, May 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdullahi-osman-mohamed-caddow. Mohamed also reportedly serves as special adviser to the emir (leader) of al-Shabaab. Due to Mohamed’s rising profile within al-Shabaab, on November 17, 2020, the U.S. Department of State designated Mohamed as an SDGT.“State Department Designates Two Senior Al-Shabaab Leaders as Terrorists,” U.S. Department of State, November 17, 2020, https://2017-2021.state.gov/state-department-designates-two-senior-al-shabaab-leaders-as-terrorists/.
In 2014, Mohamed became a member of the explosives manufacturing unit, where he operated in explosive preparation centers across Somalia in Jilib, Bul aale, Saakoow, Salagle, Kuunyo-Barrow, and Arabow. Mohamed proved to be proficient in his role, as he eventually came to command a team of 68 al-Shabaab operatives. Under Mohamed, al-Shabaab smuggles around $6 million per year from explosives manufacturing materials.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow,” United Nations Security Council, May 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdullahi-osman-mohamed-caddow.
Given Mohamed’s various high-status positions within the terrorist organization, on May 26, 2023, the U.N. Security Council added Mohamed to its sanctions list for his role in threatening the peace, security, and stability of Somalia and Kenya.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow,” United Nations Security Council, May 26, 2023, https://www.un.org/securitycouncil/content/abdullahi-osman-mohamed-caddow. As al-Shabaab continues to wage a protracted insurgency in Somalia and Kenya, on June 15, 2023, the U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program offered $5 million for information leading to the arrest of Mohamed.“Abdullahi Osman Mohamed,” Rewards for Justice, July 15, 2023, https://rewardsforjustice.net/rewards/abdullahi-osman-mohamed/.
Associated Groups
- Extremist entity
- Al-Shabaab
- Read Threat Report
- Type(s) of Organization:
- Insurgent, non-state actor, religious, terrorist, transnational, violent
- Ideologies and Affiliations:
- Al-Qaeda affiliated group, Islamist, jihadist, Qutbist, Salafist, Sunni, takfiri, Wahhabi
- Position(s):
- Senior explosives expert, leader of al-Khataib media wing, special adviser to the emir
Al-Qaeda’s Somali-based branch, al-Shabaab, seeks to establish a fundamentalist Islamic state. The group has carried out a score of violent terror attacks, including the September 2013 Westgate Mall attacks in Nairobi, Kenya.
History
United Nations
On May 26, 2023, the United Nations Security Council added Abdullahi Osman Mohamed Caddow to its sanctions list.“Security Council 751 Sanctions Committee Adds One Entry to Its Sanctions List,” United Nations Security Council, May 30, 2023, https://press.un.org/en/2023/sc15299.doc.htm.
United States
On November 17, 2020, the U.S. Department of State designated Abdullahi Osman Mohamed as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) for his role in al-Shabaab.“Counter Terrorism Designations,” U.S. Department of the Treasury, November 17, 2020, https://ofac.treasury.gov/recent-actions/20201117_33.
Daily Dose
Extremists: Their Words. Their Actions.
Fact:
On October 7, 2023, Hamas invaded southern Israel where, in the space of eight hours, hundreds of armed terrorists perpetrated mass crimes of brutality, rape, and torture against men, women and children. In the biggest attack on Jewish life in a single day since the Holocaust, 1,200 were killed, and 251 were taken hostage into Gaza—where 101 remain. One year on, antisemitic incidents have increased by record numbers.