Shadow War: Islamic State Group in Africa - BBC Africa Eye Documentary

#BBCAfricaEye gains rare access to Puntland Defence Forces on the front line in far-eastern Somalia, examining how the Islamic State group has reorganised, drawing in foreign fighters and expanding its influence across Africa. Click here to subscribe to our channel 👉🏽 http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica In the mountains of far-eastern Somalia, a mother of eight prepares for battle. Muna Ali Dahir is an officer in the Puntland Defence Forces. For more than a year she has been fighting militants linked to the Islamic State group. Each morning, before heading back to the front line, she calls her children to let them know she is safe. Africa Eye embeds with Puntland Defence Forces as they push into remote valleys and caves where Islamic State fighters have entrenched themselves. Soldiers describe capturing foreign recruits who travelled to Somalia to join the group. Puntland commanders say this branch has grown into one of the Islamic State group’s most significant operational hubs in Africa. In recently liberated villages, residents recount life under militant rule, describing the fear, disappearances and killings that still haunt families. Communities are slowly rebuilding, but the scars remain. The impact of the fighting reaches far beyond Somalia’s borders. US Africa Command (AFRICOM) has described the continent as a key battleground in the fight against the extremist group. American airstrikes have targeted Islamic State militants in Puntland’s mountains. AFRICOM officials warn that the group’s network in Somalia now plays a central role in its operations across Africa. As Puntland forces prepare for what they hope will be a decisive offensive, Africa Eye follows soldiers on the front line, asking whether Somalia has become a critical front in the Islamic State group’s global ambitions. 00:00 Phoning home 02:22 The Islamic State Group in Africa 05:08 The Checkpoint: first line of defence 06:44 Arabi Base 1: Meeting Muna 08:52 The Veteran 10:24 Shadow War: the fight ahead 11:23 Daardaar: the village scarred by IS 15:35 American involvement 16:17 Breakfast in the mountains 16:56 Catching a foreign fighter 18:56 Preparing and scouting 21:18 Day of the offensive 24:09 The attack 25:50 The fight goes on 📽️ Watch this film in SOMALI here: https://youtu.be/3PED794qDGs 🎞️ Watch more investigative journalism from our award-winning #BBCEye investigations team at this documentary playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLz_B0PFGIn4fa8LK1lptsvoA_spfJhzda You may also be interested in watching these #BBCAfricaEye documentaries: https://youtu.be/9WkYK-SjJtE https://youtu.be/EjDe1D8NlOY https://youtu.be/bfJF2bOtKn0 Subscribe: http://bit.ly/subscribetoafrica Website: https://www.bbc.com/africa Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbcnewsafrica/ Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/bbcafrica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bbcafrica/ #Puntland #Somalia #Documentary #BBCDocumentary #ISIS #Africa #InvestigativeJournalism #AfricaNews