2 Somali men indicted in terror investigation involving disappearance of 20 men

The major counterterrorism investigation by federal investigators finally shows some progress as the first set of indictments became public Monday. A local Somali man appeared in federal court on charges related to supporting terrorists and planning to kill and injure others abroad.

The indictments are related to the federal investigation of the disappearance of up to 20 Somali men who allegedly went back to their home country to help fight in the ongoing civil war. This weekend two more Twin Cities Somali men were reported killed after returning to Somalia to fight.

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A federal grand jury had indicted Salah Osman Ahmed, 26, of Brooklyn Park, and Abdifatah Yusuf Isse, of Seattle, in February, but the indictments were kept sealed until Ahmed appeared Monday afternoon before Magistrate Judge Susan Richard Nelson.

It is believed that the Minnesota men may have been recruited by terrorists to return to their families' homeland to fight in the continuing civil war there. Since October, at least four have died there.

According to the indictment, federal investigators allege the men "provided material support and resources, namely personnel, including themselves, knowing and intending that the material support and resources were to be used in preparation for and to carry out a conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim or injure persons in a foreign country" from September 2007 through December 2008.