Kenya-based wing of Al-Shabaab, Al-Hijra, has been added to the US list of terrorist organisations.
“Terrorism designations expose and isolate organisations and individuals, and deny them access to the US financial system,” the State Department said in explaining the Thursday move.
“Moreover, designations can assist the law enforcement activities of US agencies and other governments.”
Thursday’s announcement notes that Al-Hijra was formed in Nairobi in 2008.
The group “consists primarily of Kenyan and Somali followers of Al-Shabaab in East Africa,” the statement added.
“It has openly engaged in Al-Shabaab recruiting in Kenya and facilitated travel of Al-Shabaab members to Somalia for terrorism purposes.”
