US military is committed to degrading al-Shabaab militarily and financially, US African Command confirmed.
Speaking to Washington Post, spokesman for U.S. Africa Command, John D. Manley, said that the U.S. military targets al-Shabab bases with bombardment.
“We target al-Shabaab financial and collection operations with airstrikes,” he said.
He acknowledged that the militant group is “generally successful using threats and violence to intimidate clans and locals into paying taxes.
The development comes amid emerged reports claimed that al-Shabaab quickly grows the ability to tax the country’s most lucrative businesses in different parts.
According to reports, the group installed its own courts, road tolls, and tax collection.
In an interview with the paper, Somali Finance Minister Abdirahman Beileh said it is a very scary situation.
“We have not been able to address it. It is the number one problem in this country,” he said.
