Rewards for Justice is offering a reward of up to $3 million for information on Maalim Salman, a key leader of al-Shabaab, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). Deceased al-Shabaab leader Ahmed Abdi Godane chose Salman to lead al-Shabaab’s African foreign terrorist fighters. Also known as Maalim Salman Ali and Ameer Salman, Salman has been involved in Africa-based operations targeting tourists, entertainment establishments, and churches. Although focused mainly on operations outside Somalia, Salman is known to reside in Somalia, where he trains foreign fighters for dispatch elsewhere.
On September 24, 2014, the U.S. Department of State designated Salman as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224, as amended. As a result of this designation, among other consequences, all property and interests in property of Salman that are subject to U.S. jurisdiction are blocked, and U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in any transactions with Salman. In addition, it is a crime to knowingly provide, or attempt or conspire to provide, material support or resources to the FTO al-Shabaab.