Missing Somali-Americans could be training as terrorists

[David]

CHICAGO (AFP) – The FBI is reaching out to the Somali-American community amid reports that young men are being recruited to be trained as suicide bombers in Somalia, officials said Thursday.

"There are reports of kids missing from different parts of the country," said FBI special agent E.K. Wilson.

"Our concern is that they are returning to fight and to train to fight or conduct terrorist activity."

Citing Department of Justice policy, Wilson said he could not confirm whether the FBI was actively investigating whether a terrorist recruiting cell was operating in the Somali-American community.

About 20-40 Somali youth are reported to have disappeared in Minneapolis where about half of the estimated 200,000 Somali-Americans reside.

"We are in touch with the Somali-American community and we're committed to working with them to stop or prevent recruitment and radicalization of Somali youth," Wilson told AFP.

Wilson said the FBI is assisting Somali authorities in investigating an October 29 suicide bombing but would not confirm reports that a Somali-American youth who was buried on Wednesday was the bomber.

"The FBI did facilitate the return of some remains after the bombing of a US citizen to Minneapolis. We are not confirming the identity or whether it was the bomber or a victim."