Laag, Xumbeys – July 25, 2025
Puntland authorities, in close coordination with U.S. partners, have successfully captured Abdiweli Mohamed Aw Yusuf, also known as Abdiweli Walalac, the foreign liaison and finance chief of the ISIS terror group in Somalia.
According to Puntland Counter-Terrorism Operations (@PL_CTOperations), the joint operation took place in Laag, Xumbeys, where Abdiweli was arrested alongside two other ISIS-affiliated individuals.
This development marks a major step forward in the ongoing operations targeting ISIS militants who had previously taken shelter in the Calmiskaat mountains. Authorities confirmed that the broader counter-terrorism campaign is now entering its final phase, with security forces actively pursuing fleeing ISIS leaders and fighters.
The United States Africa Command (@USAfricaCommand) and the U.S. Mission to Somalia (@US2SOMALIA) continue to support Puntland in its efforts to eliminate extremist threats and strengthen regional stability.
The capture of Abdiweli Walalac, a top financier and international liaison for ISIS, is expected to significantly disrupt the group’s operations in Somalia and beyond.
