The ISIS branch in Somalia (ISS), the Abnaa Ul-Calipha has indicated signs of resurgence and redeployment to the southern parts of Somalia following a seemingly temporary hiatus from violent attacks. The group is believed to be preparing to re-launch itself after video footage of the group’s new members in training in the Bari Mountains surfaced online.
Intelligence reports indicate that in recent weeks the group has recruited a couple of dozen new fighters among them foreigners from the Middle East. In what seems to be spirited rebuilding efforts, the ISIS-linked faction has embarked on sophisticated recruitment, eyeing foreigners as part of their strengthening strategy.
Recent media releases from the group show three fighters from Yemen and two more from Iraq in training with other fighters in Bake al-Qurayshi training camp, located in the mountains of Puntland state.
The timing for the apparent resurgence of the main al Shabaab rival in Somalia is suspiciously coincidental with ongoing wrangles within the ranks of the al Qaeda-linked side. The internal wrangles within al Shabaab, especially on the group’s continued attacks on innocent civilians, will most likely offer the ISIS-linked side an upper hand as well as drive defectors to join them. ISS which splintered from al Shabaab more often than not targets al Shabaab’s disgruntled members to join their ranks a move that could hasten the group’s movement back to Middle and Southern Somalia.
