Islamic State affiliate operating primarily in the mountainous regions of Puntland, northern Somalia. Formed in late 2015 when pro-IS fighters defected from al-Shabaab under Abdul Qadir Mumin. Recognized by IS leadership as Somalia Province in December 2017. Engages in attacks against Puntland security forces and is in conflict with al-Shabaab. Estimated 100–700 fighters, with foreign fighters possibly outnumbering Somali members as of 2024.
CRIMENET has extracted 22 linkages for this organization, including 7 cooperative ties across 5 organizations, 10 conflicts across 2 organizations, 5 other connections and footprints in 5 countries.
funding the group's operations worldwide, including in Afghanistan
ISS receives direct assistance from IS officials in Syria and Iraq
While cells have periodically appeared in southern Somalia and Kenya
ISS receives direct assistance from IS officials in Syria and Iraq
as it could allow ISS to bolster their local support and receive more supplies from Yemen