Isse Mohamoud Yusuf ''Yuluh'' (Somali: Ciise Maxamuud Yuusuf (Yulux) ; born 1966) a former pirate who is involved in various illegal activities in Bari, Puntland, Somalia. He serves as a weapons and logistics facilitator for ISIS-Somalia, operating as part of the Qandala-Hafun network. His role includes smuggling weapons.[1][2][3]
Isse Mohamoud Yusuf | |
|---|---|
| Ciise Maxamuud Yuusuf | |
| Born | 1966 Timirshe, Bari, Puntland, Somalia |
| Nationality | Somali |
| Other names | Yuluh |
| Citizenship | Somalia |
| Years active | 2006-2015 |
| Known for | Arms trafficking |
Personal life
editIsse Yuluh was born on 1966 in Timirshe, in the Bari region of Puntland, Somalia.[4] Originally he comes from the Ali Saleeban community sub-clan of Majeerteen.[5]
Pirate
editIt is worth noting that Isse Yuluh was previously a leader of the Somali Piracy Network, but publicly renounced piracy in 2015. However, he still maintains militias in the Alula district, where his pirate activities were concentrated. Yuluh has been known to purchase fuel in Qandala, Somalia, which he then sells in Yemen to generate profits. He utilizes these profits to acquire weapons from AQAP and sells them to pirates in Qandala.[6]
US sanctions
editYuluh coordinates shipments based on direct requests from ISIS-Somalia, ensuring the delivery of both lethal weapons and non-lethal supplies. He also collaborates with al-Hayashi and is related to Mumin, the leader of ISIS-Somalia. Additionally, Yuluh oversees a network of black-market smugglers who were responsible for a significant weapons and ammunition shipment disguised as regular weapons purchased by dealers.[7]
Apart from arms smuggling, Yuluh engages in other illicit activities to support ISIS-Somalia and al-Shabaab operations. In early 2022, he facilitated the travel of ISIS militants to Somalia for meetings on the restructuring of leadership and tactical strategies. Furthermore, Yuluh owned a dhow used for deep-sea fishing, which was part of a network involved in Iranian weapons trafficking, transportation, and money laundering disguised as fishing operations.[8]
Due to his significant support for ISIS-Somalia, Yuluh has been designated pursuant to E.O. 13224 by United States Department of the Treasury, as amended, which targets individuals providing assistance, sponsorship, financial support, material support, technological support, goods, or services to designated terrorist organizations.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Treasury Sanctions Terrorist Weapons Trafficking Network in Eastern Africa". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2023-05-18. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ Psaledakis, Daphne (2022-11-02). "U.S. targets weapons trafficking with sanctions on Islamic State in Somalia". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ Weldemichael, Awet Tewelde (2019-01-18). Piracy in Somalia. Cambridge University Press. doi:10.1017/9781108683425. ISBN 978-1-108-68342-5. S2CID 159108128.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link) - ^ "Isse Mohamoud Yusuf". OpenSanctions.org. 1966. Retrieved 2023-06-09.
- ^ Warsame, Mohamed (2019-11-13). "Ciidamada beesha Cali Saleebaan oo qabsaday qeyb ka mid ah Boosaaso". Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ Yikona, Stuart (2013-11-14). Pirate Trails: Tracking the Illicit Financial Flows from Pirate Activities off the Horn of Africa. World Bank Publications. ISBN 978-1-4648-0041-2.
- ^ "Puntland: Notable businessmen who sell weapons to ISIS". Garowe Online. 2020-06-30. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "US Targets Smugglers Supplying Islamic State in Somalia". VOA. 2022-11-01. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
- ^ "US imposes weapons-related sanctions on ISIL members in Somalia". www.aljazeera.com. Retrieved 2023-05-31.