The U.S. military reports that the Islamic State has significantly increased its footprint in Somalia.

(Bloomberg) — The Islamic State faction in Somalia, linked to the notorious worldwide terrorist network, has ramped up its operations in the Horn of Africa this year, according to a top military figure from US Africa Command.

“I’ve got my eye on the northern stretch of Somalia where ISIS is swelling in size,” expressed Africom Chief Michael Langley during a chat on Voice of America, expressing concern over the increased influx of foreign fighters into the region.

Abdulkadir Mumin helms the IS-Somalia division. Born from a split with the al-Qaeda-affiliated group al-Shabaab almost a decade ago, Mumin recently survived a US airstrike aimed at him in May, shares the International Crisis Group.

When asked if Mumin leads the global IS group, Langley mentioned, “We find these reports quite believable.”

“The ISIS rhetoric sometimes demands our attention,” Langley added.

IS-Somalia has boosted its clout with the ability to funnel financial resources across the African continent, a detail highlighted in an insightful report by the International Crisis Group last month.

Edited by: Ali Musa

alimusa@axadletimes.com

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