During 2026, terrorist activity linked to the Islamic State (IS), a Salafi jihadist militant group and unrecognized quasi-state, has fallen to a historical low. This reveals a sharp decline from the group's peak in the 2010s, when it controlled significant territory in Syria and Iraq, managed a large-scale global recruitment network, executed complex attacks abroad, and managed its own economic structures. When compared to the increased activity seen in 2023 and 2024, the number of attacks in 2026 remains substantially lower.Despite the historic low, IS has still conducted large-scale attacks across the world, including an attack on a Chinese restaurant in Kabul, Afghanistan, an attack on the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, Niger, an attack on a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, an attack on the Israeli consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, an attack on a pride parade in Berlin, Germany, and many other attacks. According to the group's claims, IS allegedly carried out 587 operations worldwide during the first six months of the year, resulting in 2,529 reported deaths and injuries. The group also claimed to have destroyed or damaged 380 military vehicles, captured 56 others, destroyed eight aircraft, and set fire to more than 1,500 civilian homes, as well as dozens of military facilities and churches. These figures have not been independently verified and should not be treated as confirmed operational statistics.
In Asia, the Islamic State – East Asia Province (ISEAP) carried out its first attack since October 2024, an ambush that killed four people; before being subsequently demoted from provincial status in January 2026; meanwhile, following major external operations by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) in Iran and Russia in 2024, military pressure mounted by the Taliban has caused ISKP to shift its strategy from territorial control towards transnational networks. The group remained relatively inactive internationally while continuing to maintain an online presence that incorporates virtual currencies and artificial intelligence in its operations and propaganda activities. Its propaganda was produced in multiple languages and aimed at different audiences, while its recruitment networks extended across Pakistan and other parts of South Asia.
This year also saw Africa consolidate its position as the primary region of IS' activity, with its branches in Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Mozambique, Somalia, Mali, and Niger accounting for a large proportion of the group's reported attacks and casualties. The Islamic State – Mozambique Province (ISMP) regularly targets churches, local villages, and artisanal mining sites within Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique, leading to significant civilian displacement; in the nearby DRC, the Allied Democratic Forces (IS), an IS-linked militant group, has also intensified attacks on civilians and expanded there territorial control. In North West Nigeria, the Islamic State – Sahel Province (ISSP) claimed responsibility for two ambushes on Nigerian forces, reportedly killing 19 people, the first time it publicly claimed an attack in the region.
Timeline Included events include attacks, military operations, arrests, legal actions, propaganda activity, and organizational developments involving IS or IS-aligned groups such as the ADF, Jaysh al-Islam (Army of Islam) in the Gaza Strip, the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the Philippines, Lakurawa in Nigeria, and other groups across the world.
January
1 January: In Syria, an IS suicide bomber targeted New Year's celebrations killing 1 person and wounding 2 others. In North Kivu, DRC, IS claims responsibility for attacking two Congolese military bases and three Christian-majority villages. In the attack on the bases, two soldiers were killed and the bases were burnt down. In the other attacks, fifteen people were killed and forty homes were burnt down. 2 January – In the United States, the FBI foiled a New Year's Eve attack plot targeting a grocery store and fast-food restaurant in North Carolina, authorities say they arrested an IS member. 3 January – In Syria, the United Kingdom and France launched airstrikes on an underground arms cache formerly used by the IS. 4 January – Eight Nigerian soldiers were killed by an Islamic State – West Africa Province (ISWAP) IED detonation targeting their vehicle near Damasak, Borno State. 5 January – In Nigeria, nine Nigerian soldiers were killed and several others were injured when they hit a landmine and came under fire by ISWAP near Bindundul, Borno State. 8 January: United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 31 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. In Nigeria, 15 Christians are killed by the ISWAP in various raids in North Eastern Nigeria. 9 January – In Somalia, USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 33 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 10 January – In Syria, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, alongside partner forces, conducted multiple airstrike against IS. The strikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched in direct response to the 2025 Palmyra attack. 11 January – USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 27 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 14 January – In Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force launched airstrikes on the 'Timbuktu Triangle' killing 10 militants. 16 January – CENTCOM forces conducted a precision airstrike in northwest Syria against a militant leader with direct ties to Al-Qaeda and the IS gunman responsible for the 2025 Palmyra attack. 19 January: Seven people are killed and twenty others are injured in a bombing at a Chinese restaurant in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan. ISKP claimed responsibility. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) says it has lost control of a prison holding thousands of IS fighters in Al-Hasakah Governorate after the prison came under attack from armed groups. A video released by the SDF appears to show dozens of IS militants escaping the prison. 20 January: In Nigeria, the military arrested three recruiters for ISWAP in Borno State. Clashes between Boko Haram and ISWAP leave hundreds dead in the Lake Chad. 21 January: The 2026 northeastern Syria offensive conducted by the Syrian transitional government against theSDF led to a significant security vacuum, resulting in the escape and mass transfer of 7,000 ISIS detainees. Following the SDF's withdrawal from key facilities such as the al-Hawl and al-Shaddadi prisons. USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 66 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 22 January – IS claims responsibility for burning down two Cameroonian military bases in the town of Darak, Logone-et-Chari, Far North Region, Cameroon. IS fighters also seized weaponry. 23 January: USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted multiple airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 40 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. In the Philippines, an ambush by the IS-linked Maute Group kills 4 people. In Mozambique, ISMP stole a motorboat and kidnapped people. ISMP demanded a ransom of 50,000 meticais ($784) each. In the United States, a 17-year-old pleaded guilty for planning a terrorist attack. 25 January: Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) launched an offensive against the IS in Arbinda, Burkina Faso. IS militants were driven out of the area and four were killed. In Mocímboa da Praia, Mozambique, ISMP abducted the son of a local militia member. 26 January – In the DRC, 25 people are killed in an IS-linked attack in eastern DRC. 27 January: In Azerbaijan, the State Security Service announced that it foiled an attempt by ISKP to bomb the Israeli embassy in Baku. From 27 January to 2 February, the U.S. conducted five strikes against "multiple" IS targets in Syria, locating and destroying "an IS communication site, critical logistics node, and weapons storage facilities" utilizing "50 precision munitions delivered by fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and unmanned aircraft," according to CENTCOM. 28 January: In Singapore, a 14-year old supportive of IS has been issued a restriction order. In Borno State, Nigeria, overnight attacks by ISWAP leave dozens of civilians and soldiers dead. 29 January: In Brazil, an IS member is arrested for allegedly planning a suicide attack in the country. The Diori Hamani International Airport is attacked by the IS. 30 January: USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 43 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. In the Philippines, ISEAP claimed an ambush that killed four soldiers, its first claimed attack since October 2024, before it was subsequently demoted from provincial status in January 2026.
February
1 February: ISSP claimed an attack in Ménaka, Mali. USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 40 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 2 February – ISWAP appoints Abu Khalifa as its new commander in the 'Timbuktu Triangle'. 3 February – USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 41 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 5 February – Jamal Borhot, convicted of joining the IS, is sentenced to 16 years in prison. 6 February: The Iraqi Air Force carries out strikes on IS hideouts near Hatra in northern Nineveh Governorate, Iraq, using F-16 fighter jets, killing four militants. An IS suicide bomber detonates explosives at a hideout in Al-Qa'im District, Iraq, during an attempted arrest, killing himself and injuring two security officers. The Islamic State – Pakistan Province (ISPP) claimed responsibility for 2026 Islamabad mosque bombing through Telegram, releasing a photo purported to show the assailant holding a gun. The attack killed at least 31 people and injured more than 169 others. IS member, Humzah Mashkoor, pleads guilty to terrorism charges. ISSP militants attacked a Nigerien customs office in Kouré, Niger. Two officers were reportedly killed. 7 February – Pakistani security forces arrest four suspects involved in the 2026 Islamabad mosque bombing. 9 February – In the DRC, IS-linked ADF kill 20 people in eastern DRC. 11 February – ISPP launched an English-language magazine called Invade. 13 February – USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 50 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 14 February – USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 65 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. 16 February: A 21-year-old IS member is charged with terrorism and other offences for his role in the 2024 Vienna terrorism plot on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna, Austria, in 2024. USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against IS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 70 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia.