U.S. targets Islamic State in Somalia with weapons-related sanctions

Wreckages of vehicles are destroyed at the scene of an explosion along K5 street in Mogadishu, Somalia October 30, 2022. REUTERS/Abdirahman Hussein

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States on Tuesday issued sanctions targeting Islamic State in Somalia, designating members of the group and others it accused of being involved in a "terrorist weapons trafficking network" in Eastern Africa.

The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said several of the people designated in Tuesday's action have sold weapons to or were active al Shabaab members.