Australia delivers warning over IS foothold in Somalia‏

IS’s foothold in Somalia has caught the attention of the Australian government with the group’s ties there being formally denounced.

The Somali arm of IS has been listed as a terror group for the first time, after Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee signed off on a revised list of threats to Australia. 

In a submission to the committee, ASIO Deputy Director-General Heather Cook said the militants could pose a threat to Australians - in particular those of Somali heritage.

“These groups, IS Somalia included, tend to target Westerners ... for kidnapping for ransom purposes,” the submission reads.

“It’s not inconceivable that Australians of Somali extraction may be caught up in that sort of conduct.