Thursday August 1, 2024
Abdul Qadir Mumin (left), leader of the Islamic State's Somalia branch (IS-S), with an unidentified militant. Mumin reportedly survived a U.S. airstrike on May 31, 2024. Credit: FURA
Mogadishu (HOL) —Security analysts worry the Islamic State's Somalia branch (IS-S) is rapidly expanding its influence and operational capabilities, posing a growing threat both within Somalia and internationally. On May 31, a U.S. airstrike near Dhaadaar in northeastern Somalia targeted Abdul Qadir Mumin, the leader of IS-S. While Mumin is believed to have survived, the strike resulted in the deaths of three other militants, illustrating the heightened concern among U.S. officials about the group's rising role within the global Islamic State network.
IS-S is now a key player in cross-branch financing, logistics, and the recruitment of foreign fighters, aiding other IS branches, particularly in East and Central Africa. The group has solidified control over significant territory in northern Somalia, establishing a base for operations and supporting the al-Karrar office, which oversees financial programs and militant activities across the region.
Bilal al-Sudani, a former high-ranking IS-S operative killed by U.S. Navy SEALS in Somalia in January 2023, was instrumental in enhancing IS-S's international capabilities. He was linked to financing the IS-K attack at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport in 2021, which killed 13 American service members and approximately 170 Afghan civilians. Reports confirm that Mumin continues to lead the group from a secured location in the Al-Miskaad mountains of the Bari region.
IS-S's influence extends into Europe, particularly Sweden, which has become a hub for IS-S support and recruitment. Recent arrests in Sweden highlight the growing network of IS-S supporters, including individuals linked to terrorism and weapons offences. The Swedish police have noted an increase in citizens attempting to join African IS branches, facilitated by a sizeable Somali diaspora community.
The United Nations reported that IS-S has been sending cryptocurrency to Islamic State – Khorasan Province or IS-K, further cementing its role in the global IS network. This financial support underscores the group's potential to collaborate with IS-K in planning and executing attacks beyond Africa.
IS-S's rising prominence and expanded capabilities pose a significant threat to Somalia's stability and the broader Horn of Africa region. The group's enhanced operational role within the IS network suggests a potential increase in terrorist activities targeting both regional and international interests.