In a sweeping move against terrorism, Ethiopian authorities have detained 82 individuals suspected of being Islamic State militants in a nationwide operation.
According to Breitbart, the arrests, conducted on Wednesday at multiple locations, were part of a targeted effort by the National Intelligence Security Services (NISS) to disrupt alleged ISIS activities linked to the group’s Somalia branch.
The operation, reported by Ethiopian state media, spanned a dozen sites across the country. The suspects are accused of undergoing paramilitary training to prepare for violent attacks. According to the NISS, Ethiopia’s primary intelligence agency, these individuals were poised to carry out acts aimed at destabilizing the nation.
The NISS, tasked with addressing both domestic and foreign threats like terrorism and cybercrime, played a central role in the operation. The agency has been vigilant in tracking the Islamic State’s attempts to infiltrate Ethiopia from neighboring regions.
As reported by state broadcaster FANA, the NISS has been “closely monitoring” the group’s “cross-border infiltration strategies and its effort to establish sleeper cells in Ethiopia.”
The arrested individuals are believed to be connected to the Somalia wing of ISIS, a faction with an estimated strength of up to 1,500 fighters. This branch, formed in 2015 by defectors from al-Shabaab, gained official recognition from the global Islamic State network in 2018. Based in Puntland, a northeastern region of Somalia, ISIS-Somalia is known for funding its activities through criminal means such as banditry and extortion.
The NISS revealed that the suspects “maintained direct links with the terrorist organization and were engaged in providing logistical, financial, and operational support.” These efforts were allegedly aimed at weakening Ethiopia’s social fabric. Their ultimate objective, according to authorities, was to erode national unity.
Further details from the NISS indicate that the militants were “exploiting religious institutions” to spread radical ideas. Their strategy involved efforts to “disseminate extremist ideology, recruit vulnerable individuals, and destabilize communities.” This approach was intended to sow discord among Ethiopia’s diverse population.
A FANA report highlighted that “several individuals were also found to be part of the group’s intelligence and recruitment apparatus, actively facilitating the establishment of ISIS-affiliated cells inside Ethiopia.” These operatives were key to expanding the group’s presence within the country. Their activities posed a significant risk to internal security.
While ISIS remains a concern, experts note that al-Shabaab, a Somalia-based group allied with al-Qaeda, poses a larger threat in the region. The United Nations estimates al-Shabaab’s forces to number between 7,000 and 12,000 fighters. In contrast, ISIS-Somalia operates on a smaller scale, though its influence is still notable.
The presence of groups like ISIS and al-Shabaab has intensified existing challenges in Ethiopia. Their actions have contributed to heightened risks of conflict among the country’s various ethnic groups. This adds another layer of complexity to Ethiopia’s security landscape.
Despite these challenges, Ethiopia has earned praise for its proactive measures against militant groups. The U.S. State Department has consistently recognized the country’s efforts to combat both ISIS and al-Shabaab. This latest operation underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to safeguarding its borders and citizens.
The arrests signal a broader push to curb the spread of extremist ideologies in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia’s role as a regional stabilizer is critical amid ongoing threats from groups operating out of Somalia. The NISS’s actions reflect a determination to prevent such threats from taking root domestically.
As investigations into the 82 suspects continue, authorities are likely to uncover more about ISIS operations in Ethiopia. The focus remains on dismantling any remaining networks that could jeopardize national safety. Ethiopia’s resolve to address these dangers head-on is evident in this large-scale crackdown.