Prosecutors¹ have announced charges against eight people as part of an investigation² into young men leaving the United States to fight in Somalia.

当地公诉人宣布对八名男子提起诉讼，据调查这几名男子在青少年时期就离开美国前往索马里参与战乱。

The men are accused of joining the fight with al-Shabab

Those charged are accused of giving financial support to recruits（征兵，招募）, and of training and fighting with Somali Islamist militants⁴.

Up to 20 people are thought to have left Minnesota（明尼苏达州） to fight with Somali militants in the last two years.

All but one（除了一个以外） of the men are of Somali descent, officials say.

US federal prosecutors accuse them of aiding the militant³ group al-Shabab, which is said to have links to al-Qaeda and has recently been leading an insurgency⁵（起义，暴动） against Somali authorities.

Several have died - one when he took part in a series of suicide bombings in the semi-autonomous Puntland region, according to authorities.

'Sad reality'

One of those against whom charges were announced on Monday, Mohamud Said Omar, is being held in the Netherlands.

The others have not been arrested and are thought to be outside the US.

In total, 14 people have now been charged as part of the long-running investigation.

"The sad reality is that the vibrant⁶（战悚的） Somali community here in Minneapolis has lost many of its sons to fighting in Somalia," Attorney Todd Jones said in a statement, as the new charges were announced.

"Those tempted⁷ to fight on behalf of or provide support to any designated terrorist group should know they will be prosecuted⁸ to the fullest extent of the law."

Somalia has been embroiled⁹（卷入，牵连） in almost continuous conflict since its central government collapsed¹⁰ in 1991. Insurgents¹¹（叛乱者） control much of the centre and south of the country.