Who: Boko Haram
Founded: Early 2000s in northeastern Nigeria
Region they operate: Northeastern Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon
Allies and enemies: Previously tied to ISIS; main enemies are Nigerian and regional governments
Who: ISIS–West Africa
Founded: 2015 when a Boko Haram faction rebranded under ISIS
Region they operate: Lake Chad basin across Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon
Allies and enemies: ISIS province; fights regional armies and state institutions
Who: ISIS–Central Africa (ISIS‑CA)
Founded: Late 2010s through pledges from factions in DRC and Mozambique
Region they operate: Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and northern Mozambique
Allies and enemies: Acts as ISIS provincial arm; fights national forces and regional interventions
Who: ISIS‑Mozambique (Ansar al‑Sunna)
Founded: Late 2010s as an Islamist insurgency in Cabo Delgado
Region they operate: Northern Mozambique and occasionally southern Tanzania
Allies and enemies: Recognized as an ISIS province; battles Mozambican security forces and regional troops
Who: Al-Shabaab
Founded: Mid‑2000s from the youth wing of the Islamic Courts Union
Region they operate: Somalia and neighboring Kenya
Allies and enemies: Al‑Qaida affiliate; enemies include the Somali government, AU forces, and Kenya
Who: ISIS‑Somalia
Founded: Mid‑2010s as a small ISIS‑aligned faction
Region they operate: Northern Somalia, mainly Puntland
Allies and enemies: Part of ISIS network; rivals Al‑Shabaab and is targeted by Somali and regional forces
