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Islamic State trains in Somalia’s Puntland

The camp is at least the second one ran by the Islamic State in Somalia’s northern Puntland region.

Shabaab targets soldiers in Puntland ambush

The al Qaeda branch claimed a massive IED attack on a military convoy in Puntland, as well as shelling a military base in southern Somalia that also reportedly hosts US troops.

Shabaab strikes in Puntland

A Shabaab suicide bomber carried out an attack on a security convoy in the coastal city of Bossaso. Two foreigners believed to be working for Saracen International survived the attack.

Puntland forces claim victory against Shabaab in the ‘Tora Bora of East Africa’

Security officials said Shabaab forces under Mohammed Said Atom have been driven from the Galgala Mountains.

Shabaab, Puntland forces clash in northern Somalia

Thirteen Shabaab fighters and five Puntland security personnel were killed in fighting near a region known as the Tora Bora of East Africa.

Puntland, Somalia Clash south of Galkayo; Iran’s Hand

Fighting breaks out in Puntland; Iran supplies weapons and other support to the Islamic Courts Islamic Court Militia cheers during the handing over of weapons by the rivall militia in Mogadishu, Thursday, July 13, 2006. (AP Photo / Mohamed Sheikh Nor.) Click image to view. The Islamic Courts Union and forces from the semi autonomous […]

Islamic Courts, Puntland forces Battle in Central Somalia

Puntland takes a preemptive shot at the Islamic Courts units moving northward Map of Somalia. Islamic Courts advances in Red, recent clash in yellow. Click map to view. As the long awaited showdown in Baidoa between the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and the Islamic Courts drags on, the Islamic Courts have advanced northward towards […]

Jihadi archives: Islamic State’s eulogy of Sudanese jihadist Mohamad Makkawi Ibrahim

In May 2016, the Islamic State (IS) issued a eulogy for the infamous Sudanese jihadist Mohamad Makkawi Ibrahim through its weekly Al-Naba newsletter. The eulogy flew under the radar at the time but offers an interesting look into the career of one of the Islamic State’s first so-called “martyrs” in Somalia. It also provides an early chronicle of the Islamic State’s history in the Horn of Africa.

Islamic State describes intense campaign against Shabaab in northern Somalia

The Islamic State documents at least 36 clashes between its men and Shabaab, al-Qaeda’s East African wing, between March and December 2023.

U.S. designates Islamic State financier in Somalia

The U.S. government designated Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, the financial emir of the Islamic State’s Somali Province. This move, however, has much wider implications than just the Islamic State’s Somali operations.

Analysis: Shabaab takes advantage of slowed counter-offensive

In the face of delayed or stalled offensive action taken against it, Shabaab seeks to rally its forces.

Analysis: U.S. Military kills key Islamic State leader in Africa

U.S. Special Operations Forces killed Bilal al-Sudani, a key Islamic State operative responsible for coordinating the group’s finances and activities across central, eastern, and southern Africa (and beyond).

US government sanctions several Shabaab officials and affiliated individuals

Nine individuals were designated by the U.S. Treasury Department while an additional five were also blacklisted by the U.S. State Department.

Contested area of northern Somalia witnesses rare suicide bombing

The Sanaag Region, a territory contested by both Somalia and Somaliland, witnessed its first suicide bombing yesterday. No group has officially taken credit, though Shabaab is widely suspected given its history in the area.

Puzzles deepen in the context of Shabaab’s attempted Ethiopian invasion

New reporting has shed new light on Shabaab’s recent incursions into Ethiopia. However, many perplexing elements remain uncovered.

Shabaab targets Somali police chief in Mogadishu suicide bombing

Shabaab attempted to kill Somalia’s police chief in yet another suicide bombing in the Somali capital.

Shabaab kills dozens in twin suicide bombings targeting Somalia’s election process

The dual suicide bombings targeting an election site in central Somalia comes just one day after a brazen attack on a large military base in Mogadishu.

U.S. Treasury Designates Four ISIS Financiers in South Africa

Four ISIS money men were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury for providing material support to Islamic State branches across Africa.

US Launches First Drone Strike Against Shabaab in Seven Months

One week after a series of suicide bombings in Mogadishu, the US conducts its first drone strike against al-Shabaab since August 2021.

Shabaab launches simultaneous attacks across Mogadishu

Shabaab launched near simultaneous assaults across 5 areas of Mogadishu and its suburbs, showing the group’s continued strength as Somalia preps for its upcoming presidential election.

Analysis: Somaliland’s lingering jihadi threat

Terrorists haven’t launched major attacks in Somaliland in more than a decade. However, this does not mean it doesn’t face any real threats from Shabaab or the Islamic State.

Shabaab photos detail control over town in central Somalia

Shabaab has controlled the central Somali town of Bacaadweyne for over a month thanks to a forced political deal with the local clan.

Shabaab mounts prison break in northern Somalia

Shabaab says it freed more than 400 prisoners from the central prison of Bosaso in northern Somalia, however, this number remains unconfirmed. The group also reiterates that prison assaults are one of its main goals in its fight against the Somali state.