The United States military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced on Saturday that it had carried out an operation targeting the ISIS-Somalia terrorist network in Somalia. While details remained sparse, Somali officials have provided insights into the operation’s significance.
Puntland’s counter-terrorism organization, the Puntland Defense Forces (PDF), revealed via their official social media account that the target of the raid was Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, identified as the finance emir for ISIS-Somalia.
Yusuf was designated by the US Treasury Department in 2023, where he was described as overseeing logistics including the delivery of foreign fighters, supplies, and armaments for ISIS. The Treasury highlighted that he managed revenue generated by ISIS-Somalia and facilitated financial transfers to the group.
Puntland officials assert that Yusuf’s role extended beyond just managing ISIS-Somalia’s finances; he also oversaw the finances for Al Karrar, a regional office that aids in the coordination of the Islamic State’s global operations. Al Karrar, which is situated within the framework of ISIS-Somalia, is believed to be under the leadership of Abdul Qadir Mumin, the organization’s original leader, who was succeeded by Abdirahman Fahiye.
This regional hub provides financial, technical, and logistical support to various Islamic State affiliates, including those operating in Central Africa, the Congo, and even as far as South Africa, Kenya, and Tanzania. The Al Karrar office has, at times, also extended assistance to networks in locations such as Yemen, Turkey, and Afghanistan.
Yusuf’s capture during the operation represents a significant setback for Islamic State-Somalia as many of its senior leaders have been able to evade capture amid ongoing battles in the region. However, reports indicate that several lesser commanders linked to ISIS have been killed by Puntland forces in recent weeks.
Prior to this mission, the last US ground operation in northern Somalia occurred in January 2023, which resulted in the death of Bilal al Sudani, a high-profile figure in the Somali jihad.
According to Puntland officials, Yusuf was apprehended alongside two individuals identified as his bodyguards near Laag, a rural settlement in Puntland’s Iskushuban District. This area is notably distanced from where most engagements with ISIS-Somalia are happening, primarily in the Cal Miskaad Mountains southeast of Bosaso, the coastal city nearby.
It is not surprising that a senior official like Yusuf was found outside of the intense conflict zones, as many top ISIS officials are believed to have relocated to safer areas following increased military action.
The implications of Yusuf’s arrest could reach far beyond Somali borders. As the finance chief overseeing both ISIS-Somalia and the Al Karrar office, the information he possesses may illuminate other Islamic State operations across Africa and elsewhere.
The United States has partnered with the Puntland Defense Forces since the beginning of their offensive against ISIS-Somalia this year, providing both logistical and intelligence support. The US has executed at least 32 airstrikes against the group in 2023, according to data compiled by FDD’s Long War Journal.
In addition, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has conducted at least 19 airstrikes targeting the group, though the actual number may be higher as the UAE typically does not disclose its military operations publicly.
Since President Donald Trump took office, military engagements in Somalia have notably increased. Besides the targeted strikes on ISIS, approximately 22 additional strikes have targeted Al Shabaab, Al Qaeda’s affiliate in East Africa.
The operation to capture Abdiweli Yusuf marks the first ground raid in northern Somalia during President Trump’s current administration, indicating a potential for further military actions aimed at dismantling ISIS-Somalia’s leadership structure.
As the situation remains fluid, the consequences of Yusuf’s capture could have significant ramifications for the Islamic State’s capabilities and operations not just in Somalia, but across the broader region.
Caleb Weiss, editor of FDD’s Long War Journal and senior analyst at the Bridgeway Foundation, emphasizes the critical nature of this event in the fight against ISIS and its interconnected networks across Africa.
image source from：longwarjournal
