The Tactics Institute for Security and Counterterrorism urgently calls on international and regional authorities to take immediate action to counter the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) in Somalia’s Puntland region. The group’s recent control over the Al Miskaad mountain range marks a significant threat to the stability and security of the already volatile region.
The Islamic State’s expansion in northeastern Somalia, particularly in the remote Al Miskaad mountains, provides the group with a strategic advantage for recruitment and propaganda, as well as potential coordination with IS offshoots in Yemen. This development poses a severe risk to regional peace, offering IS greater access to the sea, opportunities for financial operations, and a possible resurgence of Somali pirate activities, which had seen a troubling increase last year.
The current situation, as detailed in a report by the Emirates Policy Center, highlights the dire consequences of IS’s control in Puntland. The group’s recent three-month offensive resulted in the deaths of 50 al-Shabaab fighters, including key commanders, and the seizure of significant military equipment. These actions underscore the escalating conflict between IS and al-Shabaab, which has long been a dominant force in Somalia.
The Tactics Institute demands that the international community recognize the gravity of this threat. The resurgence of IS not only violates international laws and fundamental rights but also exacerbates the humanitarian crisis in Somalia. The group’s activities, including the use of proselytizing (da’wah) to gain local support and control over strategic territories, undermine efforts to establish peace and stability in the region.
We call on the Puntland administration and international bodies to intensify intelligence efforts and engage with local communities to curtail IS activities. It is imperative to cut off the financial and logistical support that fuels their operations and disrupts their cross-border organizational ties. The Institute for the Study of War reports an increase in IS ranks, now estimated at 200-300 fighters, primarily Ethiopian nationals. This growth highlights the urgent need for coordinated counterterrorism measures.
The Tactics Institute urges the immediate cessation of all arms supplies and support to IS in Somalia. We call on regional governments and international allies to bolster their efforts in combating this resurgence, ensuring that IS cannot further destabilize the region or perpetuate its campaign of violence.
