British ‘White Widow’ Rises in Al-Shabaab, reportedly had role in 400 murders
The British woman known as “the white widow” has risen through the ranks of the Somalia-based Islamic terrorist organization Al-Shabaab, and has had a hand in more than 400 murders, according to counter-terrorism officials in the African nation.
Samantha Lewthwaite, a 31-year-old Muslim convert and mother of four whose husband was one of the London 7/7 suicide bombers, has the confidence of Al-Shabaab leader Ahmad Umar and played a key role in last month’s slaughter of 148 people at a university in Kenya, according to Somali security chiefs.
“This lady sits at the right hand of the leader directing attacks,” a Somali security chief told The Mirror.
Lewthwaite’s rapid rise in the Muslim terror organization, despite being a foreigner and a woman, is believed to have been aided by the deaths of several Al-Shabaab leaders killed by U.S. drone strikes. She plays a key role in planning suicide attacks and car bombings in Somalia and Kenya, countries ravaged by the terrorist group’s bloody reign. She also leads the recruitment of children and women to become suicide bombers for cash, according to The Mirror.
“She does not carry out attacks herself as she is too important, but is responsible for many, many deaths – hundreds,” said a source The Mirror identified only as the top officer at Somalia’s National Intelligence and Security Agency. “She uses children to kill for her after giving money to their families.”…