Timeline of the Islamic State (2026)

This is a timeline of Islamic State (IS)-related events that occurred in 2026.

• 1 January – In Syria, an IS suicide bomber targeted New Year's celebrations killing 1 person and wounding 2 others.^[1]
• 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.^[2]
• 3 January – In Syria, the United Kingdom and France launched airstrikes on an underground arms cache formerly used by the IS.^[3]
• 4 January – Eight Nigerian soldiers were killed by an ISWAP IED detonation targeting their vehicle near Damasak, Borno State.^[4]
• 5 January – In Nigeria, nine Nigerian soldiers were killed and several others were injured when they hit a landmine and came under fire by IS – West Africa Province (ISWAP) near Bindundul, Borno State.^[5]
• 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.^[6]
  • In Nigeria, 15 Christians are killed by the IS – West Africa Province in various raids in North Eastern Nigeria.^[7]
• 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.^[8]
• 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.^[9]
• 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.^[10]
• 14 January – In Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force launched airstrikes on the 'Timbuktu Triangle' killing 10 militants.^[11]
• 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.^[12]
• 19 January:
  • Seven people are killed and twenty others are injured in a bombing at a Chinese restaurant in Shahr-e Naw, Kabul, Afghanistan. The IS – Khorasan Province claims responsibility.^[13][14]
  • 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.^[15][16][17]
• 20 January – In Nigeria, the military arrested three recruiters for ISWAP in Borno State.^[18]
• 21 January:
  • CENTCOM forces announce a transfer of up to 7,000 IS detainees from Syria to Iraq as part of an effort to reduce the risk of a resurgence amid increased fighting in Syria.^[19]
  • 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.^[20]
• 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.^[21]
  • In the Philippines, an ambush by the IS-linked Maute Group kills 4 people.^[22]
  • In Mozambique, the IS – Mozambique Province (ISMP) stole a motorboat and kidnapped people. ISMP demanded a ransom of 50,000 meticais ($784) each.^[23]
  • In the United States, a 17-year-old pleaded guilty for planning a terrorist attack.^[24]
• 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.^[25]
  • In Mocímboa da Praia, Mozambique, ISMP abducted the son of a local militia member.^[23]
• 26 January – In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, 25 people are killed in an IS-linked attack in Eastern Congo.^[26]
• 27 January:
  • In Azerbaijan, the State Security Service announced that it foiled an attempt by the IS's Khorasan Province to bomb the Israeli embassy in Baku.^[27]
  • 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]
• 28 January – In Singapore, a 14-year old supportive of IS has been issued a restriction order.^[29]
• 29 January:
  • In Brazil, an IS member is arrested for allegedly planning a suicide attack in the country.^[30]
  • The Diori Hamani International Airport is attacked by the IS.^[31][32]
• 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.^[33]

• February 1:
  • IS – Sahel Province (ISSP) claimed an attack in Ménaka, Mali.^[34]
  • 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.^[35]
• February 2 – ISWAP appoints Abu Khalifa as its new commander in the 'Timbuktu Triangle'.^[36]
• February 3 – Donald Trump faslely accused Ilhan Omar of links to IS – Somalia Province.^[37]
• February 4 – Attacks on two villages by IS-affiliated Lakurawa gunmen in Kwara State, Nigeria, kill at least 162 people.^[38][39]
• February 5 – Jamal Borhot, convicted of joining the IS is sentenced to 16 years in prison.^[40]
• February 6:
  • 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.^[41]
  • An Islamic State suicide bomber detonates explosives at a hideout in Al-Qa'im District, Iraq, during an attempted arrest, killing himself and injuring two security officers.^[42]
  • The IS – Pakistan Province (ISPP) claimed responsibility for 2026 Islamabad mosque bombing through Telegram, releasing a photo purported to show the assailant holding a gun.^[43][44] The attack killed at least 31 people and injured more than 169 others.^[45]
  • IS member, Humzah Mashkoor, pleads guilty to terrorism charges.^[46]
  • ISSP militants attacked a Nigerien customs office in Kouré, Niger. Two officers were reportedly killed.^[47]
• February 7 – Pakistani security forces arrest four suspects involved in the 2026 Islamabad mosque bombing.^[48]
• February 9 – In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, IS-linked Allied Democratic Forces kill 20 people in Eastern Congo.^[49]

• Timeline of the IS