Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
Ethiopia Arrests 82 Suspected ISIS Operatives in Sweeping Security Operation
Ethiopian federal authorities have arrested 82 individuals suspected of having links to the Islamic State (ISIS) following a series of coordinated security operations across the country, officials announced on Tuesday.
The suspects are believed to have received training in Somalia’s semi-autonomous Puntland region, a known hotspot for militant activity, before being deployed into Ethiopia with the aim of establishing operational cells. According to a statement released by the National Intelligence and Security Service (NISS), the individuals had infiltrated multiple regions, including the capital Addis Ababa, Oromia, Somali, Amhara, Harari, and Central Ethiopia.
Authorities allege that the group used religious institutions as a front to radicalize followers and spread extremist ideology. “Their strategy involved exploiting religious platforms to incite violence and recruit new members under the guise of religious preaching,” the statement read.
The intelligence-led crackdown marks one of the most extensive counter-terror operations in recent years, raising fresh concerns about regional security and the growing influence of transnational jihadist networks in the Horn of Africa.
While the Ethiopian government did not disclose when the arrests were made, security sources confirmed the operations were carried out over the past several weeks in a coordinated effort involving federal police, military intelligence, and regional security forces.
A senior intelligence official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the suspects were part of a broader ISIS strategy to “destabilize Ethiopia and establish a logistical corridor through the country.” He added that further investigations are underway to determine the extent of their network and whether additional operatives remain at large.
ISIS’s growing footprint in Puntland has long troubled regional governments and international observers. The group’s presence in the mountainous areas of northern Somalia has enabled it to train fighters, conduct smuggling operations, and expand its influence throughout East Africa.
Security experts say Ethiopia, already grappling with domestic insurgencies and ethnic violence, faces heightened vulnerability to external threats due to its porous borders and internal instability.
“This is a wake-up call,” said Filsan Ibrahim, a regional security analyst. “ISIS is adapting, and Ethiopia is now clearly in their sights not just as a target but potentially as a base of operations if vigilance wanes.”
Officials have urged the public to remain alert and report suspicious activity, particularly in places of worship and religious schools.
The detainees are currently in federal custody and expected to face terrorism-related charges under Ethiopia’s anti-terrorism legislation. The government has vowed to intensify surveillance and preemptive operations to prevent any further infiltration of extremist elements.
As Ethiopia continues to navigate complex internal challenges, the latest developments underscore the added burden of transnational terrorism on national and regional security frameworks.
