Ethiopia arrests 82 suspected ISIS operatives

Ethiopia arrests 82 suspected ISIS operatives. (Photo: File)

By Bashir Mbuthia
Wednesday, July 16, 2025

According to the statement, the suspects were arrested in several towns and cities across the country, including Addis Ababa, Sheger, Adama, Haromaya, Shashemene, Bale, Jimma, and Shakiso in the Oromia region.

Ethiopian authorities have arrested 82 people suspected of being members of the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group.

The country's National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS) confirmed the development in a statement shared with local media outlets on Tuesday, noting that the arrests were made following a joint operation between the Federal Police and regional security forces.

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According to the statement, the suspects were arrested in several towns and cities across the country, including Addis Ababa, Sheger, Adama, Haromaya, Shashemene, Bale, Jimma, and Shakiso in the Oromia region.

They were similarly apprehended in Silte Zone and Halaba Kulito in Central Ethiopia, Jigjiga in the Somali region and the Harari region.

NISS added that the 82 individuals were reportedly trained by the Somali wing of ISIS in Puntland, Somalia, and sent to different parts of Ethiopia to carry out attacks, as sleeper cells.

The agency added that it has been closely monitoring the operations of ISIS in Somalia and launched investigations that uncovered serious threats to the country's security.

Some of the suspects reportedly had direct links to the ISIS leadership and were providing money, equipment and other support to help the group operate in Ethiopia. Others were involved in planning attacks and spreading ISIS teachings.

The agency also revealed that ISIS had been using religious institutions and religious messages to hide its activities and recruit new members, accusing the group of spreading ideas that divide communities and encourage violence and chaos.

The agency, however, praised local communities for working with security forces during the operation and said public cooperation was key to stopping terrorist activities.

It added that it will continue to monitor and track down any other ISIS members still at large, while urging the public to report any suspicious behaviour or individuals that may pose a threat to peace and safety in their areas.

ISIS's Somalia branch has grown to an estimated 700 to 1,500 fighters in recent years, boosted by foreign recruits and increased funding.

Despite this growth, the group remains significantly smaller than Al-Shabaab, which continues to dominate much of southern and central Somalia.

In December 2024, the Puntland regional government launched a large military offensive against ISIS, successfully reclaiming over 250 square kilometres of territory and capturing more than 50 militant bases in the Golis Mountains.

At the same time, the United States has stepped up its military operations against ISIS in Somalia. Since February 2025, US airstrikes have targeted key ISIS positions and leaders, killing dozens of fighters.

The airstrikes have increased sharply under President Donald Trump, with significantly more attacks reported in the first three months of 2025 compared to the entire previous year.