In a decisive counter-terrorism operation, US military forces under AFRICOM captured Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, the top financial strategist for ISIS-Somalia (ISS), during a raid in northern Somalia.
The mission, supported by Somalia’s Puntland Defense Forces (PDF), took place in the remote settlement of Laag in Puntland’s Iskushuban District.
Key Target: ISIS-Somalia’s Money Man
Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, described as ISS’s finance chief, played a central role in funding terrorist operations.
According to the US Treasury Department’s 2023 designation, he facilitated the delivery of foreign fighters, arms, and cash to ISIS affiliates, and helped manage international revenue channels.
He also oversaw finances for the Al Karrar regional office—ISIS’s global coordination hub—which supports terror groups across Africa and the Middle East.
A Blow to ISIS’s Global Reach
The capture of Yusuf marks the most significant disruption to ISIS-Somalia’s leadership in recent years.
Al Karrar, once led by Bilal al Sudani and now believed to be managed by Abdul Qadir Mumin and successor Abdirahman Fahiye, has extended ISIS’s operations into Congo, Uganda, Mozambique, South Africa, and beyond.
Yusuf’s arrest could cripple financial and logistical networks vital to ISIS operations across several continents.
US & UAE Intensify Airstrikes
Since early 2025, the US has conducted 32 confirmed airstrikes against ISS, while the UAE has reportedly launched 19.
This cooperation has strengthened PDF’s offensive against terror groups in the Cal Miskaad Mountains and surrounding regions.
Political Backing & Future Operations
Under President Donald Trump’s renewed term, US military activity in Somalia has surged. In addition to operations targeting ISS, at least 22 strikes have been launched against al-Shabaab—Al Qaeda’s East African affiliate.
Why the Capture of Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf Matters
If Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf served dual roles—both within ISS and the global Al Karrar office—then intelligence recovered from him could shake the foundation of ISIS’s transnational networks.
His arrest may signal further ground raids and intensifying pressure on jihadist leadership worldwide.
Source: Long War Journal
