Al-Shabaab cases highlight growing threat

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (UPI) -- The U.S. Justice Department charged 14 U.S. residents with supporting al-Qaida affiliate al-Shabaab in a growing list of cases linked to the Somali group.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder announced Thursday that the Justice Department charged 14 men with providing material support for al-Shabaab, a designated terrorist group with ties to al-Qaida.

"The indictments unsealed today shed further light on a deadly pipeline that has routed funding and fighters to the al-Shabaab terror organization from cities across the United States," Holder said Thursday.

The 14 men were named in four indictments unsealed Thursday. Twelve of the suspects aren't in custody and are believed to be overseas, possibly in Somalia, the Justice Department said.

Two of the suspects were taken into custody Thursday by the FBI. Agents arrested Amina Farah Ali, 33; and Hawo Mohamed Hassan, 63, both naturalized U.S. citizens from Somalia and residents of Rochester, Minn.

The announcement Thursday follows the Virginia arrest of 26-year-old Shaker Masri, a Chicago native, on charges of providing support to al-Shabaab. The FBI said in court documents released Wednesday that Masri was trying to support the group with the help of weapons of mass destruction outside the United States.

In July, the Justice Department announced the arrest of Zachary Adam Chesser, 20, on charges of providing material support al-Shabaab.

Chesser reportedly confessed to federal agents he tried twice to join al-Shabaab. He was prevented from boarding a July flight to Uganda where he said he planned to travel to Somalia to become a foreign fighter.

Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for two attacks July 11 in Kampala that killed more than 70 people.

"For those who would become terrorists, these cases send a strong message," said FBI Director Robert Mueller of the Thursday indictments. "They underscore the need for continued vigilance against those who may seek to harm us and our way of life."