U.S. offers rewards for Somali rebels

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MOGADISHU, Somalia, June 9 (UPI) -- The U.S. government has offered a total of $33 million in rewards for information leading to the arrest of seven al-Shabaab leaders in Somalia.

The largest reward is $7 million for Ahmed Abdi aw-Mohamed, also known as Abu Zubeir or Godane, ABC News reported. He founded al-Shabaab, which is an affiliate of the al-Qaida terror group.

Four other al-Shabaab leaders carry prices of $5 million each, while the bounty is $4 million on two more.

Experts say the combination of the rewards and military setbacks as al-Shabaab is cornered in a dwindling area could lead to some or all of the seven being captured or killed.

"They don't have a big space to hide since they are losing territory, and this reduces their ability to work within the group," said Yahye Sheik Amir, dean of economics at Mogadishu University.

The large rewards are also likely to make the seven unwilling to seek help from others as they become suspicious of "everyone, suspecting their guards, relatives and wives."