U.S. Offers $10 Million Reward for Information on ISIS Operations in Somalia

Washington, August 20, 2025 – The United States government has announced a substantial $10 million reward, along with potential resettlement opportunities, for anyone who can provide critical information regarding the financial operations of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Somalia. This move underscores Washington’s continued efforts to disrupt terrorist financing and limit the operational reach of extremist groups in Africa.

The U.S. Department of Justice has emphasized that ISIS in Somalia represents one of the most significant branches of the ISIS network on the continent. The group is reported to play a key role in funding international operations for the global terror network. By targeting the financial lifelines of ISIS, the U.S. aims to weaken its capacity to plan, recruit, and execute attacks both regionally and abroad.

An official report from the U.S. State Department details multiple methods through which the Somali ISIS affiliate generates revenue. These include taxation of local populations, extortion, kidnapping for ransom, money laundering, and arms trafficking. The group has also been involved in illegal activities such as piracy, unlawful fishing, and the increasingly sophisticated use of mobile money platforms and cryptocurrencies to transfer funds securely and anonymously.

The U.S. government has called on Somali citizens and anyone with knowledge of ISIS’s financial networks to step forward. Those providing actionable intelligence will not only be eligible for the reward but may also qualify for resettlement opportunities abroad. This initiative reflects Washington’s commitment to international collaboration and local engagement in the fight against terrorism.

ISIS in Somalia was founded in 2015 by Abdiqadir Muumin, a former member of Al-Shabaab, in the Calmiskaad mountains. The group has since attracted foreign fighters, significantly increasing its operational capacity. Over the past decade, ISIS has maintained a persistent presence in parts of Puntland and other regions, posing ongoing security challenges for Somali authorities and the international community.

Since December 2024, Puntland security forces, with the support of the United States and the United Arab Emirates, have intensified operations against ISIS in Calmiskaad. These efforts have led to the reclamation of key strongholds previously under the group’s control. However, despite these gains, the group continues to employ asymmetric tactics, making intelligence gathering and community cooperation crucial components of counterterrorism efforts.

The announcement of this reward also highlights the broader issue of terrorist financing in East Africa. By leveraging both traditional criminal networks and modern digital platforms, groups like ISIS in Somalia have managed to sustain operations and recruit fighters despite sustained military pressure. International and local cooperation, therefore, remains vital to disrupting these financial channels and ultimately dismantling extremist networks.

The U.S. initiative serves as both a warning and an incentive. It sends a strong message to terrorist operatives that their financial activities are under scrutiny while simultaneously empowering communities and individuals to play a proactive role in safeguarding their regions. For Somalia, where instability and insurgency remain persistent challenges, such measures are essential in the ongoing fight against extremism and violence.