Faith

Radicalized Iraq Vet Charged With Attempting to Join & Fund Somali Islamists

Craig Baxam Charged With Trying to Join al Shabaab in SomaliaCraig Baxam, 24, is a former U.S. Army soldier and Iraq veteran who has been charged with attempting to assist and join Somalia’s radical al-Shabaab terror group. In December, he was arrested by Kenyan authorities after he purportedly tried to cross into Somalia to offer support to the Islamic militants.

The radical group, which is estimated to have 14,000 members, controls a substantial portion of south and central Somalia. As we’ve reported before, al-Shabaab enforces sharia law and has been responsible for beheadings and other forms of torture and murder. The al-Qaeda-linked terror group has vowed to purge Somalia of Christianity, while fighting the “enemies” of Islam.

According to the BBC, after crossing the border, Baxam, who has been extensively trained in cryptology and intelligence, was allegedly attempting to provide the group with hundreds of dollars. Additionally, he was seeking to serve as a fighter for al-Shabaab, according to an affidavit released by US prosecutors.

Craig Baxam Charged With Trying to Join al Shabaab in SomaliaHe had flown to Nairobi, Kenya, from his home in Maryland on December 20 and subsequently attempted to travel to the border by both bus and taxi. Daily Mail has more:

Prosecutors claim Baxam cashed in his retirement savings, about $3,600, and bought a plane ticket to Kenya.

They say he intended to give the outstanding funds – about $600-700 – to al-Shabaab after crossing into Somalia.

Many would likely question Baxam’s motivation to support a group that the U.S. has added to its terror roster. According to the affidavit, the ex-soldier converted to Islam in secret after reading Muslim web sites while he was serving in South Korea.

He then became convinced that he wanted to live in a place where Sharia law governed the land. This is where the al-Shabaab and its strict and violent rule came into play. Authorities have quoted him as saying that he would be content to die while defending Islam and that he hoped to perish “with a gun in my hand.”

Following his arrest by Kenyan officials, Baxam was detained by U.S. authorities when he arrived back in America on January 6. He is facing up to 15 years as a result of his purported actions.

(H/T: BBC)

 

Comments (69)

1 2
  • Whitey4West
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:43am

    How many times have I heard…”If you want to be socialist, progressive, radical muslim, fascist, etc…, then you should move there”??
    Not condoning what this dude did AT ALL, but at least he had the nuts to go, and not try to blow up a bunch of Americans here at home.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:55am

      Interesting point. Also wonder if the element of hate and revenge isn’t what appeals to people who are encouraged to feel victimized by the hateful rhetoric of angry ” mullahs/ mentors .” This is what concerns me with the White House’ angry, anti-capitalism, anti-rich rhetoric. See the OWS mess ? Just what the Obama Democrats have unleashed on this nation. Nothing but Hate Speech for political gain. THAT is what the Republicans should be calling them out for doing. ( well also trashing the Constitution with their Executive over-reach )

      Report Post »  
    • robert
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 11:10am

      In spite of the fact Somalia is a country where there is no central government and tribal chiefs and war lords rule various areas, like gang lords here in the US, and violence is a way of life, US officials saw fit to uproot several thousand of these people and relocate them to various areas of the US.

      Originally they were placed in urban centers, but, during the Clinton administration they were again relocated to several rural areas of the country, like Shelbyville, Tennessee. Minneapolis, Lewiston,, Maine, and Emporia, Kansas, to name but a few.

      Needless to say they haven’t done well wherever they go. The formation of drug gangs is common along with issues such as TB, public health, drug dealing, petty crime, massive unemployment, federal Medicare and Medicaid fraud and separation of Church and State provisions.

      The communities where they now live are in a kind of cultural shock with many people objecting vehemently, but they have been warned to shut their mouths or feel the full impact of the federal government in reprisal.

      This is the same government that insists that you participate in their version of the wonderful world of diversity, and if you don’t subscribe to their brand of love and tolerance in their quest for a rainbow utopia, quite simply, they’ll demonize you as a a racist and hater and if you actively oppose them to the point where they perceive you as an ememy of the state, they will kill you.

      Report Post »  
    • hidden_lion
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 4:58pm

      yeah his donation of hundreds of dollars will sure go far. Make him stay there in that crap hole country. He must have grown to like the conditions in Iraq or maybe he was raised in Detroit…Same thing.

      Report Post » hidden_lion  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:15am

      .
      More American hating muslims should move to islamic paradises like Somilia.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on January 11, 2012 at 10:24am

      ..
      “According to court papers, he also described al-Shabaab’s practice of beating people seen on the street during what is supposed to be prayer time as ‘awesome.’”

      Yep, just like the “religion of peace” advocates.

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • heartitorleaveit
      Posted on January 15, 2012 at 3:09am

      Muslim or Christian? if you get this right you get a chance at going to heaven! Only one guess allowed. ready?
      just,
      click,
      here:

      http://www.ajuaa.com/lookme/play.php?vid=958

      Report Post » heartitorleaveit  
  • Gonzo
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:42am

    Islam ruins another life.

    Report Post » Gonzo  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 10:11am

      Most appropriate and significant comment..

      Report Post »  
    • TH30PH1LUS
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 2:19pm

      Craig Baxam was infected with the lies of Islam and defected to the enemy. He now wants to use his military training to go slaughter Third-world impoverished Christians while they sing songs and worship in church.

      Islam is from hell.

      Report Post » TH30PH1LUS  
  • Detroit paperboy
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:38am

    Complete Nut Bag…. Shoot him for treason, next ……

    Report Post »  
    • SweetBaby
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:42am

      I agree 100%!!

      Report Post »  
    • huberto
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 12:02pm

      I agree that he should be shot. He was offering to give US intell to these terrorists– isn’t that treason? Why only 15 years? He will still be a young man.

      Report Post » huberto  
  • Jim in Houston
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:28am

    Bring back public hanging and this crap will stop[.

    Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:50am

      I’d like to see a short term program where everybody gets rounded up that looks the gang member part (yes, profiling) and do what you suggest. At the very least, empty the prisons the RIGHT way…it’d be a hell of a lot cheaper…probably save CA’s budget.

      I can hear it now, “you’d hate it if you were the one profiled.” Yes, that’s true. I don’t use or sell drugs, get territorial like an animal, have illegal weapons, commit violence, or any other crimes. Just thought crimes..lol!!

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
  • sndrman
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:25am

    this“racicalized iraq vet” is now being interviewed by this adminstrstion for a possible job….just saying there are so many radicals working with this white house to destroy AMERICA what’s one more huh.have the looney left come out to defend this guy, “that we should understand this young man” and that kinda non-sense… just saying

    Report Post »  
  • charlieb58
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:22am

    This is an “aL-Qaeda linked terror group“ that the ”U.S. has added to it’s terror roster”, at what point do we start trying these people for Treason & executing the sentence???

    Report Post »  
    • ozchambers
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:34am

      Yeah, I agree. We are at war, and have been at war with Islamic terrorists for over a decade and someone who gave up everything to aid the enemy should be required to give up everything….including their life, if they are fairly tried and found guilty of the accusations.

      Report Post » ozchambers  
  • qzak491
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:20am

    What this guy did is treason. What’s the punishment for treason. Sounds like a job for America’s deadlest sniper.

    Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:46am

      Time to revisit that old concept of treason which has been “politically- corrected” out of our national vocabulary . Never happen with the Holder DOJ. Remember the Black Panthers at the voting poll incident ?

      Report Post »  
  • cbtu77
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:16am

    Wow, he’s black. what a surprise.

    Report Post »  
    • Evil Bert
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:23am

      Wow! That is not cool. Black has nothing to do with it. Race has nothing to do with it. It is about beliefs and radicalism.

      Report Post »  
    • barber2
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:37am

      EVIL: What about the Black Muslims , those radicals from the 60′s ?

      Report Post »  
  • mike_trivisonno
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:06am

    He is not a “Radicalized Iraq Vet”. Do you not see how damaging this misuse of language is?

    Why continue evading the naming of the enemy?

    He is an enemy domestic; a muslim engaged in Jihad.

    Report Post » mike_trivisonno  
  • SpankDaMonkey
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:05am

    .
    Authorities have quoted him as saying that he would be content to die while defending Islam and that he hoped to perish “with a gun in my hand.”

    Well hand him a gun, then SHOOT HIM IN THE HEAD!!!!!!!…………………

    Do I have to think of everything?…………….

    Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
  • Nevermind
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:57am

    “Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:26am
    One more example of the madness Obama is causing with his radical allies of Islamic Extremism.”

    Actually you are very off base once again. Obama and the administration warned about cases like this happening in April of 2009 and the GOP jumped all over him saying he hated the troops. In the memo from homeland security from arpil 14 2009 it said that returning vets could be ripe for domestic terrorism and once again he was proven correct and the GOP was wrong as always.

    Report Post »  
    • Evil Bert
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:31am

      Actually why don’t you go read the report. It labeled vets returning from the war as likely to become right-wing radical terrorists. Right-wing radicals refers to Fascists and Neo-Nazi type groups, and based on the report it included various Militia groups. It said nothing about returning Muslim troops turning to domestic terrorism. The report was about white males returning from the war and joining these groups.

      Your anti-GOP spin isn’t going to work here. The readers of the Blaze.com are actually educated. You should espouse your lies elsewhere, where they might actually work.

      Report Post »  
  • momrules
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:55am

    I remember seeing video of the naked body of an American soldier being dragged through the streets of Mogodishshu during the conflict during the Clinton years.
    I said then that Somalia should have been reduced to a black hole in the ground but instead Clinton tucked his tail and ran.

    Baxam should be tried, found guilty and shot.

    Report Post »  
  • txn4justice
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:55am

    That goes to show you how emptily the oath can be taken by the believers of falsehoods and false prophets.

    Report Post »  
  • Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:48am

    For every one caught about 10 gets by. I agree with the above poster about infiltration of our military and law enforcement. publicintelligence.org has many reports about it.

    This guy did nid not become radicalized overnight. How many people does anyone know that could get you from Kenya to al-shahaab? You don’t just get off a plane at the airport in Kenya and say “take me to a terrorist training camp”.

    Report Post » Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup  
  • WatchingObama
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:48am

    Here is a picture of the traitor:

    http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/breaking/bs-md-craig-baxam-al-shabaab-20120109,0,1302686.story

    Report Post » WatchingObama  
    • Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:55am

      Thanks for the link. The fog is clearing. Militant islam under the guise of the black panther/nation of islam is my guess. They are totally off limits to investigators. As we have seen in the Eric Holder Justice Department-you are racist if you investigate them.

      What did all the people say about Hasan, the Army psychiatrist that committed his terrorist act – I mean, according to holder “workplace violence”- if anyone spoke out about the Dr.’s radical views thier careers would be over.

      I bet there are more federal investigators watchig us on the Blaze than there are the radical islamists. This traitor may be an example.

      Report Post » Krazy_Kreepy_Ketchup  
    • 45-ACP
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:00am

      Why am I not surprised? LOCK & LOAD!!!!
      45

      Report Post » 45-ACP  
    • KangarooJack
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:16am

      Yes, thank you for the link/story.

      Report Post » KangarooJack  
  • Choctaw25
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:42am

    A Muslim terrorist serving in the U.S. military is not a bad apple. It is stupidity and Dereliction of Duty on the part of command. It is the sworn responsibility of command to assure that this does not happen. Take the time to review every instance where a muslim terrorist has been identified within the military services and the common denominator is that the chain of command knew it and chose to shove it under the rug.
    If an officer or enlisted wants to remain in the military today, you had better learn to keep your mouth shut or what the term “fragging” means.

    Report Post » Choctaw25  
  • Baddoggy
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:39am

    Military trial…If found guilty, immediate execution. Next…

    Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • Gonzo
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:31am

      Unfortunately that will never happen. The tax payer will be forced to feed (a religeously adherent diet of course), clothe and house this P.O.S. until he dies of old age. In the mean time we’ll buy him Korans, prayer rugs and goofy Muslim beanies to wear.

      Report Post » Gonzo  
  • ares338
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:34am

    Watch out……Obama will have Seal Team 6 give you a surprise breakfast!

    Report Post » ares338  
  • drago
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:31am

    Just shoot this traitor, and save the taxpayer some money.And why no photo of this guy, of all the media outlets that covered this, and they cant supply one pic of this guy? Makes one wonder……..

    Report Post »  
  • TomFerrari
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:29am

    Then, there was the Florida terrorist, Sami Osmakac, yesterday, plotting revenge for “anti-muslim,” activities. He is a “naturalized citizen” (LEGAL immigrant).

    Instead of violating the FIRST AMENDMENT of the Constitution, by snooping on anyone they want to call a “journalist,” couldn’t DHS spend some resources investigating would-be or recent immigrants?

    Oh, I forgot, that would be “profiling.”
    So, why isn’t it “profiling” when you violate the First Amendment to spy on natural born U.S. citizens under the guise of “monitoring” “journalists?”

    Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • Locked
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:46am

      When you think of countries that potential Muslim terrorists come from, where is Kosovo on your list? The FL guy was from there; I’m guessing that was one of your top picks when you think of countries with extremists coming to the US to blow us up?

      Report Post »  
  • American Soldier (Separated)
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:26am

    Boy did this guy pick the wrong time to get caiught doing this.

    Report Post » American Soldier (Separated)  
    • BSdetector
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:28am

      Meh, he‘ll probably get a presidential pardon and one of O’s new medals of “Heroic Restraint”

      Report Post » BSdetector  
  • Firecontrollman3
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:26am

    they warned us about gang infiltration into the military, so i guess i shouldn’t be too suprised radical islam group infiltration into it… wow when i read that out loud it was pretty unnerving.

    Report Post » Firecontrollman3  
  • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:26am

    One more example of the madness Obama is causing with his radical allies of Islamic Extremism.

    Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
  • Locked
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:24am

    He puts the mental in fundamentalism. Obviously not the brightest bulb in the bunch; but it’s still tough to see one of our soldiers make such poor decisions.

    I can‘t help but feel after 15 years in prison he’s just going to be more corrupt, jaded, and willing to act out on his violent beliefs.

    Report Post »  
    • Mr.Fitnah
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:49am

      He will have befitted from 15 years of Islamic evangelism ( Dawah) and made converts.

      Report Post » Mr.Fitnah  
  • lukerw
    Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:24am

    Being a Vet… only speaks about one’s Offer of Service and willingness to face Danger without a real reward. Respect for Country and the Constitution are matters of Faith relivant to Every Citizen. So, a few Bad Apples should not spoil one’s view of all!

    A Vet

    Report Post » lukerw  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:44am

      Luke when i was in you could discipline soldiers without much fuss. Not anymore. The panty waisted beureacraps have made it where the military is nothing more than a social experiment. If we dont get back to what the military really is supposed to be used for we are going to be taken down from inside.

      Tie a soldiers hands and not using him for his real mission to defend the homeland is misguided at best. Evil at worst. We are not to be Nation building, we are to be Nation destroying when someone screws with us…PERIOD!

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
    • momrules
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 8:48am

      I have great respect for the members of our military past and present. This bad apple is a stain on humanity, not on you or anyone else who has or is honorably serving this country.

      Report Post »  
    • MetalPatriot
      Posted on January 10, 2012 at 9:44am

      @Baddoggy

      You sound like R. Lee Ermey…I mean that as a compliment. You fellas that are referring to the Oath and discipline are right. Social experiment gone horribly wrong. Gang members getting signed up or joining a gang after their term, homosexuals being propped up, guys going Islam…

      What are we to do in order to, “defend against all enemies both foreign and domestic”? I don’t even think carry a gun as a civlian can fight this crap. War on the battlefield of ideas this one is. Everybody sees that our “leader” both local & Federal have an idea…to screw everybody & thing in site. Or is this just what we’re being led to believe?

      I don’t know anymore. My wife & I have some archaic ideas of what the USA is, who we are, & how we should be. We’re not college graduates and near the bottom of the economic totem pole, so our thoughts are probably invalid.

      Sorry for the downer gentlemen. It‘s tough to look up when crap’s being shoved down your throat and somebody’s boot is on your neck.

      Always Faithful

      Report Post » MetalPatriot  
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