Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud
Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud | |
|---|---|
عبد الرحمن الشيخ محمود | |
| File:Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud Mugshot.png | |
| Born | 1991 or 1993 |
| Years active | 2014-2015 |
| Organization | Template:Flagicon image Al-Nusra Front |
| Criminal charges | Providing material support for terrorism Perjury |
Abdirahman Sheik Mohamud (, born in either 1991 or 1993) is a Somali national and former member of the al-Nusra Front. He has been charged with planning a terrorist act within the United States following his involvement in training with al-Qaeda operatives in Syria amid the Syrian civil war.
Early life
Mohamud’s birthplace is Somalia, with his birth year recorded as 1991 or 1993. At the age of two, he relocated to Columbus, Ohio, USA, alongside his family. He obtained U.S. citizenship through naturalization in February 2014 and shortly thereafter applied for a U.S. passport.
Militant history
In May 2013, Mohamud’s elder brother, Abdifatah Aden, joined the Al-Nusra Front in Syria and subsequently urged Mohamud to become a foreign combatant. By February 2014, Mohamud sent funds to his brother and proceeded to travel to Syria in April carrying approximately US$1,000 to enlist with Al-Nusra Front. After receiving citizenship and a passport, he booked a one-way trip first to Athens, then Istanbul, before entering Al-Nusra-controlled regions in Syria. Additionally, he underwent training alongside ISIS fighters.
During his time at the training camp, Mohamud developed expertise in burglary techniques, close-quarters combat, handling explosives, and firearms proficiency. He declared intentions to execute U.S. military personnel "execution style," which led a radical cleric to instruct him to return to the United States to implement an attack using the skills acquired.
Arrest
Mohamud was detained by U.S. law enforcement on February 21, 2015, in Ohio on allegations of supplying material support to terrorist entities. He entered a plea of not guilty regarding accusations involving plans targeting a military installation located in Texas, facing a potential sentence of up to 38 years imprisonment. In January 2018, he admitted guilt for charges of providing material support and making false statements connected to international terrorism, culminating in a 22-year prison term.