December 26, 2025:
In the first half of the year, Islamic terrorists carried out nearly 600 attacks in nine countries. These attacks were carried out by five factions of the Islamic State. These include ISWAP/Islamic State West Africa Province which carried out 240 attacks throughout Nigeria, Niger, and Cameroon. ISCAP/Islamic State Central Africa Province carried out over 100 attacks in Congo and Uganda.
ISMP/Islamic State Mozambique Province expanded into Mozambique’s Niassa province despite military pressure. ISMP conducted 69 attacks against pro-government militias, Christian civilians, and the Mozambican armed forces. Its attacks were mostly in the neighboring province of Niassa, particularly the Niassa Special Reserve and the district of Mecula. The most significant attack was against a Mozambican army camp in the district of Macomia at the end of June. The Islamic terrorists attack ended with the destruction of an army camp, stealing weapons and ammunition, and killing as many as 30 soldiers.
ISSP/Islamic State Sahel Province carried out attacks in Niger and Mali. ISSP carried out attacks in the Gao and Menaka regions of Mali, as well as the Sahel Region of Burkina Faso. Niger has seen an increase in ISSP attacks in rural areas, including a major offensive against the Nigerien army and the National Guard in Bani-Bangou territory in the Tillaberi Region. In addition, ISSP attacked a Malian army base in the town of Tessit in the Gao Region. ISSP’s attacks have reached as far as the Dosso and Tahoua regions in the southwest.
ISS/Islamic State Somalia continued operations in Puntland, although that activity has been blocked by local security forces. ISS also carried out 128 attacks in Puntland, while ISCAP carried out 107 attacks in the eastern provinces of Ituri and North Kivu. Islamic State militants are maintaining their positions despite the efforts of the U.S.-backed Puntland security forces and joint counterterrorism operations by the Congolese and Ugandan armies. Even where the Islamic terrorists have been repelled or defeated in some areas, they are still able to fall back to other positions, demonstrating substantial persistence.
Attacks by ISCAP and ISS are increasing against military forces and, in the case of Congo, against Christian civilians. Attacks by the ADF/Allied Democratic Forces against Christians in northeastern Congo include a major attack in mid-May in Lubero Territory in North Kivu Province.
Islamic terrorists continue to claim they are conducting successful terror attacks in Congo. The ISCAP/Islamic State in Central Africa Province claimed it conducted a suicide bombing in eastern Congo’s North Kivu province, when a bar in the city of Beni was attacked. Islamic terrorists are particularly hostile to alcohol, especially when men and women are consuming it together. For the record, ISCAP is also known as the ADF/Allied Democratic Forces. They now claim they are a component of Islamic State of ISIL/Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant. However, several analysts and security personnel doubt that ISIL has any influence over the ADF. It’s an information operation to give the appearance of a global coalition. The ADF existed long before the Islamic State. ISIL and ADF each also have ties to Al Shabaab in Somalia. ISIL also has similar affiliates in Mali, Nigeria, North Africa and possibly Mozambique, in southern Africa, as well.