TH E
DAILY
SOMALIA
Background of ISIS terrorist
groups.
The ISIS is a terrorist organization that has been officially designated as a global terrorist group.It originally emerged from
Al-Qaeda in Iraq(AQl)in 2004 before rebranding as the Islamic State of Iraq(Isl)in 2006. With the political uprising of Syria in 2011, the group expanded its operations and adopted the name the
islamic State of iraq and Syria (Isis).
ISIS quickly gained notorlety for its brutal tactics and extrome interpretation of Islamic law.By 2014,the group had seized
significant territory in Iraq and Syria,declaring a self-proclaimed
caliphate.This expansion led to a multinational military intervention aimed at combating the group’s influence and
territorial control.The ISIS’s rapid expansion and declaration of a caliphate in 2014 marked a significant turning point in the group’s history and global perception.This self-proclaimed, state, spanning parts of Iraq and Syria,attracted thousands of foreignfighters from around the world,further complicating the regional conflict.The group’s use of social media for propaganda and recruitment purposes demonstrated asophisticated understanding of modern communication tools,allowing them to
spread their ideology and attract supporters on a global scale.

Introduction
The continued presence of ISIS in Puntland poses a serious security threat to Somalia and East Africa. Although this group is smaller than Al-Shabaab in terms of manpower and territorial control, its technological capabilities,resilience in
combat, large number of foreign fighters,
strategic location in the mountains of the Bari region, and the ability to generate revenue through extortion and illegal businesses makes it a significant threat to regional stability and Somalia’s counterterrorism efforts.
The fight against ISIS in Cal-Miskaat, alongside the battles against Al-Shabaab in Gaimudug, Hirshabelle, Jubbaland, South West,and the Somali National Army is a just war that must not be met with neutrality. It is crucial for the government and the public,supporters, and opposition alike to unite to eradicate these
extremists.
The international community’s response to ISIS was multifaceted, involving military interventions,economic sanctions,and efforts to counter the group’s online presence.Coalition airstrikes,combined with ground operations by local forces,gradually eroded ISIS’s territorial control.However,the group’s ideology and decentralized structure has allowed it to persist,evolving into a more traditional
insurgency and continuing to inspire lone-wolf attacks in various
parts of the world.
How did ISIS Arrive in Somalia?
In early 2015,the ISIS attempted to establish a foothold in the Horn of Africa,particularly in Somalia.The group
sought to recruit young fighters and defectors from Al-Shabaab to gain support.Puntland,specifically the
Cal-Miskaat mountains became a key hideout for ISIS fighters,as they engaged in conflict with the Puntland
government and security forces.
Global intelligence sources have identified that ISIS
follows a five-pronged military strategy:
1. Open attacks and direct combat
2.Suicide bombings
3. Propaganda and ideological warfare
4. Espionage and intelligence gathering
5. Guerrilla warfare (ambush tactics)

By ABDULLAAHI ISSE MOHAMED (RUBAANI)
Executive Director at Somali Policy
and Development Centre