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Islamic State (IS) In Somalia (ISS)
Somalia, Horn of Africa
The rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has complicated issues for jihadist groups operating throughout Somalia. Throughout 2015, ISIS sent a communication to al-Shabaab, the leading jihadist group operating in Somalia with the capability of striking the neighboring countries of Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, proposing to ally itself with the Caliphate. Unsurprisingly, the leader of al-Shabaab, Ahmed Umar Abu Ubaidah, rejected the offer, stating long-standing allegiance to al-Qaida, and threatened death for those who sought to defy the fatwa. However, in October 2015, a small faction, under the leadership of Abduqadir Mumin, broke off from al-Shabaab’s ranks and pledged allegiance to then-ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Henceforth, the group was known as the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS). At the time of its inception, ISS had 20 fighters, including its leader. Mumin kept ISS’ operational basis in the Golis Mountains, Puntland regional state, in northeast Somalia.
Since becoming a fully-fledged group, ISS has three main objectives: 1) extend its reach outside the Golis Mountains, 2) obtain new sources of revenue, 3) counter Al-Shabaab’s presence in its sphere of influence. Following the footsteps of al-Shabaab, ISS maneuvered through clan politics to get recruits. The leader appealed to his clan, as well as those clans and sub-clans that felt marginalized by Puntland local government and the federal government. So far, between 300-400 have pledged allegiance to ISS, though recruitment beyond the Golis Mountains has been unsuccessful. In Puntland, the group has seized sparsely populated towns, but their short-lived successes came crumbling down following confrontations with the Puntland security forces.
As a means for revenue to pay its fighters and to buy ready-made bombs or materials to make homemade bombs, ISS extorts businesses, threatening violence and often assassinations when businesses do not pay ‘taxes’ to the group. The group claims to have conducted 81 assassinations between February 2017 and July 2018 successfully, but local sources and the U.N. Monitoring group could not verify most of the claims. However, with limited resources, the group is incapable of conducting sophisticated attacks such as those undertaken by al-Shabaab.
The Puntland Security Forces (PSF) have been tasked with destroying ISS in Puntland regional state. The PSF conducts military operations in the Golis Mountains and within cities in Puntland state like Garowe and Bosasso where ISS has conducted attacks. Additionally, the PSF carry out sensitization operations on the population where they talk to the locals, especially those in the Golis Mountains, to urge the community to work alongside the government to eradicate both ISS and al-Shabaab from the area. The Puntland police have also been making headway against ISS with raids on their warehouses and hideouts. In those operations, they have managed to recover IEDs and other weapons, as well as arrest ISS members and sympathizers. The military courts have convicted many of the ISS members, most of whom were sentenced to death by firing squad.
To support the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) carry out airstrikes targeting both Islamic State in Somalia and al-Shabaab, which both operate on the Golis mountains. Though most of the airstrikes have killed foot soldiers, the deputy head of ISS, Abdulhakim Dhuqub was also killed. The combined efforts by PSF and AFRICOM has significantly limited ISS activities mainly in Puntland, as well as their inability to attract recruits. Currently, there is a periodic conflict between ISS and al-Shabaab, with al-Shabaab’s military wing – Amniyat, being utilized to kill ISS members and sympathizers.
Key Facts
People killed — 30
Fighters — 300-400
ISS Targets — Government and military
Where: Northeast Somalia
Active base: The Golis Mountains, Puntland regional state. There are independent clandestine chapters of ISS operating in Southern Somalia, but not much is known
Founded: End of 2015
Goal: The general goal of ISS is to create an Islamic Caliphate in Somalia.
Type of attacks: Close quarter assassinations and improvised explosive device (IEDs).
Fighters: Currently, it is estimated that the group has between 300 and 400-foot-soldiers. The number of foreign fighters, if any, is unknown.
People killed: Estimated 30+ people – mostly government and military officials. The group claims the number of people killed is much higher
The Situation
Stalemate
Though the Islamic State in Somalia (ISS) has not been conducting as many attacks over the last half of 2021, the Puntland regional forces have been on an offensives in the month of July. The military operations are able to retake Dhabancado, Hul-Anod, and Timirshe village from the ISS. The operations in the regional state are expected to expand to other areas in Bari region where both Al-Shabaab and ISS have strongholds. The ISS has not released any statement to address the recent gains by the regional forces. Previous reports had indicated that instances of infighting between two factions who are fighting for power. The infighting is a result of rumors that the Emir Mumin is suffering from an unspecified illness.
Islamic State In Somalia: A Timeline Of Atrocities
Section 1400: Terrorism Links: Groups & Individuals
Islamic State In Somalia
Last Update: 09/2024
See COPYRIGHT information below.
