Abukar Baalle has warned that terrorist groups are rapidly exploiting artificial intelligence, drones, social media and encrypted communications to recruit fighters and plan attacks.
NEW YORK (Somali Report) — Somalia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Abukar Baalle, has warned that the terrorist threat is constantly evolving, with militant groups rapidly exploiting emerging technologies to recruit, communicate and plan attacks.
Baalle said terrorist organizations were increasingly turning to social media platforms to attract and recruit new members, while encrypted messaging applications were being used to coordinate operations and plan attacks.
“The terrorist threat is constantly changing,” Baalle said, highlighting the growing ability of militant groups to adapt to technological developments and use them to expand their capabilities.
He also pointed to the growing use of artificial intelligence and drones by terrorist organizations, saying such technologies were enabling attacks that would have been difficult to imagine a decade ago.
The ambassador’s comments came as Somalia continues to confront the threat posed by Al-Shabaab and Islamic State militants, which have carried out attacks in the country and the wider region.
Baalle said Somalia had made significant progress in weakening the threat posed by the two groups, crediting the country’s security forces for their role in the long-running campaign against terrorism.
He paid tribute to members of the Somali armed forces, saying they had made major sacrifices over the past two decades in the fight against terrorist and other armed groups operating in the country.
Somali forces have remained at the center of efforts to regain territory from Al-Shabaab and strengthen the country’s security institutions, amid continued international support for Somalia’s counterterrorism campaign.
Baalle stressed, however, that the fight against terrorism was not over and said Somalia needed to retain national ownership and leadership of efforts to secure the country and maintain stability.
He argued that a greater role for Somali institutions in security operations was essential to building sustainable peace and preventing the country from becoming dependent on external forces.
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“National ownership of the fight and peace efforts is the foundation for achieving lasting peace,” Baalle said, emphasizing the need for Somalia to lead its own security and stabilization efforts.
His remarks also underscored a broader challenge facing governments and international organizations as militant groups gain access to technologies that were once largely controlled by states and major institutions.
The spread of artificial intelligence, drones, encrypted communications and social media has created new opportunities for terrorist organizations to recruit, communicate and potentially coordinate attacks across borders.
For Somalia, the challenge comes as authorities seek to consolidate military gains against Al-Shabaab while building stronger national security institutions capable of responding to evolving threats.
Baalle said Somalia would continue its efforts to combat terrorist groups, while stressing that military operations alone would not be sufficient to guarantee long-term stability.
He called for continued attention to the changing nature of the terrorist threat and reaffirmed the importance of Somali-led security and peacebuilding efforts.
Somalia has spent more than two decades fighting Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group that remains capable of carrying out deadly attacks despite losing control of significant territory in recent years.
The country is also facing a smaller but persistent threat from Islamic State militants, particularly in the northern regions.
Baalle’s comments highlighted the need for Somalia and its international partners to adapt their counterterrorism strategies as militant groups seek to exploit new technologies and changing methods of warfare.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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