Saturday February 15, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Telegram has removed Iclaam, a channel used by the Islamic State (ISIS) to disseminate propaganda, marking a significant step in efforts to curb extremist influence on social media. The channel, which regularly shared battlefield reports and ideological messaging, had been a key tool for ISIS operatives, particularly in Somalia’s Puntland region.
The removal is part of a broader push to dismantle the digital networks of terrorist groups, which have increasingly relied on encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram to recruit members and spread their narratives. While it remains unclear whether the Somali federal government played a direct role in the takedown, authorities in Mogadishu have previously shut down hundreds of websites and online forums linked to Al-Shabaab.
Despite the setback, ISIS maintains an online presence through Taageere Radio Hijratayn, a media outlet that operates via Facebook. The channel continues to broadcast ISIS-aligned content, particularly regarding its ongoing clashes with Puntland security forces in the Calmiskaad Mountains.
Puntland has intensified efforts to suppress ISIS activities within its borders. Authorities have issued strong warnings against individuals or organizations that provide material or ideological support to the group. In recent years, Puntland courts have sentenced members of the Somali diaspora and forgeigners to prison terms for allegedly endorsing ISIS online.
The fight against ISIS in Puntland has centred on the mountainous regions where the group has attempted to establish a foothold. Security forces have launched periodic offensives against ISIS militants, aiming to prevent the group from expanding its influence in Somalia.