In a significant blow to the Islamic State's financial operations in Africa, U.S. military forces successfully captured Abdiweli Mohamed Yusuf, the chief financial leader of ISIS-Somalia, during a targeted ground raid in Somalia’s Puntland state on July 25.
The operation, conducted in coordination with the Puntland Defense Force, also resulted in the capture of two additional ISIS operatives.
U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) announced the mission in a press release on Saturday, confirming the joint operation but withholding detailed information to preserve operational security.
“Specific details about units and assets will not be released to ensure continued operations security,” AFRICOM stated.
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The capture of Yusuf, also known by his alias Abdiweli Walalac, marks a major tactical success for counterterrorism efforts in the region. He has served as the primary financial architect of ISIS-Somalia since at least 2019.
In June 2023, the U.S. Department of the Treasury designated Yusuf as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, citing his central role in orchestrating the group’s funding networks.
These networks generated millions of dollars, largely through the extortion of local Somali businesses. The funds were then funneled to support violent extremist operations across Somalia and other parts of Africa.
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Yusuf’s responsibilities placed him in direct contact with top ISIS-Somalia leadership as well as ISIS al-Karrar, a sub-organization that coordinates various ISIS cells throughout the African continent.
His arrest represents a disruption in the financial chain that fuels ISIS-linked terrorism in East Africa and beyond.
“AFRICOM, alongside the Federal Government of Somalia and Somali Armed Forces, continues to take action to degrade ISIS-Somalia’s ability to plan and conduct attacks that threaten the U.S. homeland, our forces, and our citizens abroad,” the command emphasized in its statement.
The Puntland Defense Force, which serves as the principal counterterrorism force in Somalia’s autonomous Puntland region, confirmed the operation’s success on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. T
heir post credited American partners with the capture of Yusuf and two other militants.
AFRICOM echoed this in a statement to Task & Purpose, noting it is “currently assessing the results of the operation and will provide additional information on ISIS-Somalia individuals captured as appropriate.”
Puntland, located in the northeastern tip of Somalia, has long served as a sanctuary for ISIS-affiliated militants.
Its proximity to the Arabian Peninsula makes it strategically significant for transnational jihadist groups like ISIS-Somalia, which has maintained a persistent presence in the region for several years.
The July 25 raid in Puntland coincided with another high-profile U.S. military action—this time in Syria—where U.S. forces killed Dhiya’ Zawba Muslih al-Hardani, a senior ISIS leader.
The coordinated timing of these two actions underscores the continued reach and resolve of American counterterrorism efforts across multiple theaters of operation.
The United States has maintained a steady military presence in Somalia for over two decades as part of the broader Global War on Terror.
While operations were scaled back during earlier phases of the Biden administration, 2025 has seen a significant resurgence in direct action against militant groups, particularly ISIS and al-Shabab.
This year alone has featured numerous airstrikes, including high-profile missions carried out by fighter jets aboard the USS Harry S. Truman while deployed in the Red Sea.
These operations form part of a renewed U.S. strategy to support the Somali federal government’s battle against insurgent threats, helping to stabilize a region that remains vulnerable to extremist influence.
The elimination or capture of key terrorist operatives like Yusuf not only disrupts ISIS command structures but also cuts off vital revenue streams that fund violence across the Horn of Africa.
While AFRICOM and Somali officials continue to assess the broader impact of Yusuf’s capture, the operation already stands as a tactical milestone and a reminder of the United States’ enduring commitment to countering terrorism abroad.
The arrest of such a high-value target sends a clear message to other ISIS figures that they are not beyond the reach of international counterterrorism forces.
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