Country Report on Terrorism 2024 - Chapter 1 - Somalia

Country Overview:  Despite the Federal Government of Somalia’s (FGS) containment efforts, al-Shabaab continued to pose a threat.  The group extorted millions of dollars from residents and businesses and regularly conducted deadly operations, including IED attacks and assassinations.  Al-Shabaab maintained its ability to strike and worked with Houthi militants to expand capabilities.  Somalia’s inability to hold recovered areas remained a significant challenge, allowing al-Shabaab to recapture liberated territory.

ISIS-Somalia posed a threat, adding hundreds of members through foreign fighter recruitment. The group’s leader, Somali national Abdulqadir Mumin, sought haven in Puntland.  ISIS-Somalia raised millions of dollars through local extortion, transferring some resources to other ISIS elements abroad.  In December 2024, Puntland authorities launched an offensive against the group with U.S. and UAE support, including airstrikes.  Political rivalry between Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Puntland President Said Deni hampered joint efforts.  ISIS-Somalia conducted targeted attacks against Puntland Defense Forces using small arms, IEDs, and weaponized commercial drones with thermal imaging for night operations.

Somalia combined security measures with social programs focused on prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation to counter terrorist recruitment.  Messaging and hotline programs increased enrollments in defector rehabilitation centers.  Somalia made uneven progress deterring terrorist travel but expanded information sharing with other countries.  Counterterrorist financing efforts remained consistent with previous years.

2024 Terrorism Trends:  Somalia experienced 229 terrorism incidents with 907 fatalities.  Somalia suffered continual conflict between government-aligned forces and terrorists as al-Shabaab carried out hundreds of attacks throughout the country, including numerous attacks and ambushes on SNA and local defense force positions in Hirshabelle and Jubaland.  Methods included suicide bombers, IEDs, vehicle-borne IEDs, ambushes, hostage takings, rocket attacks, and targeted assassinations.

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