FEDS: Twin Cities man behind Somalia bombing, investigating network  Feds investigating Twin Cities terrorist network

The Somali community in the Metro has become fearful after reports that one of their own was a suicidal bomber.

Federal sources say Shirwa Ahmed blew himself up in a suicide bombing in northern Somali last month. They also believe he was a recruiter in the Twin Cities for a terrorist network.

Government sources believe that as many as 40 young men who knew Ahmed, recently left Minnesota without telling their families.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS talked to Ahmed's family. They said they have not heard from him in weeks.

The report was the talk of this busy Somali market on Wednesday.

In south Minneapolis, many in the Somali community have been fearful to go on camera to talk about the reports. Off camera, people told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS they were concerned about how the community as a whole will be perceived after the incident.

"The bottom line is there are people who are recruiting here, kids who are being brainwashed to go back there and blow themselves up," explained Omar Jamal with the Somali Justice Advocacy Center.

Sources believe there is a strong network of recruiters working the Twin Cities, trying to convince young Somalis to surrender themselves for the cause of terrorism.

CIA Director Michael Hayden acknowledges a growing tie between Al Qaeda and Somali terrorist groups. Federal investigators believe these missing men are training for terrorist attacks overseas, but can't be sure they won't return the Twin Cities someday to carry out an attack.