MOGADISHU, Somalia — The militant group Al-Shabaab denied claims by the United States that Somali residents in Minnesota are funding the organization.
In a statement, Al-Shabaab accused the U.S. government and President Donald Trump of spreading “malicious and racist” narratives aimed at using Somali Americans as scapegoats for political failures in the United States.
The group painted what it called a “dark history” of U.S. attacks on Somalia, dating back to the 1990s, including the killing of thousands of civilians—women, children, the elderly, and Somali community leaders.
Al-Shabaab cited a recent U.S. airstrike in the town of Jamaame in Lower Jubba, which killed 12 people, including eight children, three women, and an elderly man.
“The attacks against Somali people in the U.S. are part of a broader campaign of hatred against Muslims, particularly Somali Muslims,” the group said.
Al-Shabaab said it would continue its fight to defend Somalia, its people, and Islam against what it described as the “wicked ambitions of U.S.-led forces,” but rejected the use of its name to justify harming Somali civilians at home or abroad.
The group also called on Somali religious leaders, intellectuals, and community leaders to speak out against what it described as “blatant injustices” targeting Somalis, including threats to property and rights.