General Michael E. Langley, the Commander of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), has revealed that the Islamic State group (ISIS) has shifted the leadership of its global operations to Somalia.
Speaking before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee last week, General Langley briefed lawmakers on AFRICOM’s strategic objectives for 2025. He emphasized the growing importance of Africa in the Pentagon’s global defense strategy.
General Langley warned that the threat of terrorism across Africa is on the rise, singling out ISIS as a key concern. According to him, ISIS is now directing its international activities from within Somalia.
He explained that extremist groups are exploiting the security and economic challenges plaguing the Horn of Africa—especially Somalia—to expand and strengthen their terrorist networks.
“Africa remains a critical defense ally, but it has also become fertile ground for extremist groups. These organizations are capitalizing on instability across the continent to grow and spread their ideology,” Langley told lawmakers.
Warning of the escalating threat, General Langley added: “ISIS is running a global network based out of Somalia. If left unchecked, this network poses a direct threat to the United States.”
These remarks come as the U.S. intensifies counterterrorism efforts in Africa—particularly in northeastern Somalia’s Al-Miskad Mountains in the Bari region of Puntland—where American forces have been actively supporting operations to dismantle ISIS strongholds.
