Somalia: Puntland Forces, with U.S. Support, Capture Senior ISIS Leader 

GAROWE, Somalia — Puntland defense forces, backed by U.S. partners, have captured a senior leader of the ISIS-Somalia faction in a planned operation in the Calmiskaad mountains of the Bari region, officials said.

The leader, identified as Abdiweli Mohamed Aw Yusuf, also known as Abdiweli Walalac, served as the head of foreign relations and finance for ISIS-Somalia. He was arrested along with two others during the operation in Laag, Xumbeys, according to a brief statement posted by the Puntland counterterrorism unit on X [formerly Twitter].

In a statement from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Abdiweli was accused of playing a central role in bringing in foreign fighters, supplying weapons and ammunition, and helping turn ISIS-Somalia into a key financial and operational hub for ISIS activities across Africa.

ISIS-Somalia has been accused of extorting local businesses, particularly in the port city of Bosaso, and transferring the money to ISIS affiliates elsewhere on the continent. The funds were reportedly moved through mobile money platforms, hawalas, and banks.

According to reports, the group extorted nearly $2 million in 2022, down from $2.5 million the previous year.

Abdiweli was designated by the U.S. government as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in July 2023. He has served as the group’s chief financial officer since 2019 and maintained close ties with other ISIS leaders, including Abdirahman Fahiye Isse and the founder, Abdulkdir Mumin, both of whom have also been sanctioned.

The Hillaac operation is nearing its final phase, with the ongoing pursuit of the fleeing #ISIS terrorists and their leaders who escaped from the Calmiskaat mountains.

GAROWE ONLINE