How Al Shabaab Makes Money To Stay Active

Al-Shabaab Backed By Money From U.S. -- Peter Bergen and David Sterman, CNN

(CNN) -- After the attack on the Westgate mall in Nairobi, Kenya, substantial attention was given to the some 40 Americans who have traveled to fight for Al-Shabaab in Somalia during the past several years.

But much less attention has focused on Al-Shabaab's supporters in the United States who have helped to fund the terrorist group. Those supporters have funneled tens of thousands of dollars via money transfer businesses to the terrorist organization and have often maintained direct contact with Al-Shabaab leaders and fighters in Somalia.

After the 9/11 attacks, when it became clear to investigators that al Qaeda's deadly assaults on New York and Washington had cost as much as $500,000 to mount, the U.S. government became far more aggressive about trying to block funds going to terrorist organizations.

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Update: Somali Militants Mixing Business and Terror -- New York Times

My Comment:  Money is the driving force of all groups and institutions .... cutting this flow will result in groups like al Shabaab dying on the vine.