An American fugitive suspected of recruiting fighters for terrorist groups such as the Islamic State and linked to at least one domestic terror attack has turned himself in to authorities, the State Department announced Monday.
Mohamed Abdullahi Hassan, known online as “Miski,” gave himself up to the government of Somalia early last month, the State Department said, ABC News reported.
He left the U.S. in 2009 and has been wanted by the FBI for allegedly providing material support to the al Qaeda-linked group al-Shabab in Somalia.
Mr. Hassan reportedly convinced young American recruits to join the terrorist group before moving on to recruit for the Syrian-based Islamic State group.
Investigators were trying to determine whether a married couple who killed 14 people in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California, last week had any online connection with Mr. Hassan, ABC reported.
Mr. Hassan was linked to at least one other attack this year in Garland, Texas, where two men opened fire at a Mohammad cartoon drawing contest, but were shot by police before they could kill anyone.
One of the gunmen had repeated contact with Mr. Hassan on social media in the days and weeks leading up to the attack.
The State Department said the U.S. Mission in Somalia is working with the Somali government to discuss Mr. Hassan’s case. The U.S. and Somalia do not have an extradition agreement.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.