Somalia’s Jihadist Chessboard

On May 28, the Program on Extremism at The George Washington University hosted a high-level panel discussion on the evolving jihadist landscape in Somalia.

Since early 2025, Somalia has witnessed a notable escalation in jihadist activity. Al-Shabaab has intensified its operations, including a major offensive in the Middle Shabelle region, while the Islamic State’s Somalia branch has significantly expanded over the past year, emerging as a key financial and logistical hub within the broader ISIS network. In response, the United States has ramped up its airstrikes against jihadist operatives in the country, highlighting growing international concern over the region’s deteriorating security environment.

This event explored the shifting dynamics of jihadist competition and consolidation in Somalia, analyzing the factors underpinning militant resilience and assessing the broader implications for regional security. The panel also examined the role of local governance structures, community dynamics, and the influence of external actors in shaping the trajectory of violent extremism across the country.

The Program on Extremism hosted:

• Brig. Gen Zakia Hussen Ahmed, former Deputy Police Commissioner of the Somali Police Force.
• Professor Stig Jarle Hansen, Visiting Scholar Stanford, Associate Fellow RUSI, Professor NMBU.
• Dr. Daisy Muibu, Assistant Professor of Security Studies at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.

The discussion was moderated by Dr. Sergio Altuna, Senior Fellow at the Program on Extremism and Project Lead for TITAN.