Timeline of the Islamic State (2026)

This article is about IS-related events in 2026. For other time periods, see List of terrorist incidents linked to the Islamic State.

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

Timeline

January

• 1 January – In Syria, an Islamic State 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 Islamic State member. ^[2]
• 3 January – In Syria, the United Kingdom and France launched airstrikes on an underground arms cache formerly used by the Islamic State. ^[3]
• 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. ^[4]
• 8 January:
  • United States Africa Command (USAFRICOM) forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against ISIS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 31 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. ^[5]
  • In Nigeria, 15 Christians are killed by the Islamic State – West Africa Province in various raids in North Eastern Nigeria. ^[6]
• 9 January – In Somalia, USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against ISIS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 33 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. ^[7]
• 10 January – In Syria, the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) forces, alongside partner forces, conducted multiple airstrike against ISIS. The strikes are part of Operation Hawkeye Strike, which was launched in direct response to the 2025 Palmyra attack. ^[8]
• 11 January – USAFRICOM forces, in coordination with the Federal Government of Somalia, conducted an airstrike against ISIS militants in the vicinity of the Golis Mountains, approximately 27 km southeast of Bossaso, Somalia. ^[9]
• 14 January – In Nigeria, the Nigerian Air Force launched airstrikes on the 'Timbuktu Triangle' killing 10 militants. ^[10]
• 16 January – CENTCOM forces conducted a precision airstrike in northwest Syria against a militant leader with direct ties to Al-Qaeda and the ISIS gunman responsible for the 2025 Palmyra attack. ^[11]
• 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 Islamic State – Khorasan Province claims responsibility. ^{[12] [13]}
  • The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) says it has lost control of a prison holding thousands of Islamic State (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. ^{[14] [15] [16]}
• 20 January – In Nigeria, the military arrested three recruiters for ISWAP in Borno State. ^[17]
• 21 January – CENTCOM forces announce a transfer of up to 7,000 ISIS detainees from Syria to Iraq as part of an effort to reduce the risk of a resurgence amid increased fighting in Syria. ^[18]

See also

• Timeline of the Islamic State

References

1. "Syria Says Islamic State Plotted New Year's Eve Attacks on Churches". www.aina.org. Retrieved 2026-01-01.
2. Campbell, Lucy (2026-01-02). "FBI says it thwarted planned New Year's Eve terrorist attack in North Carolina". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2026-01-06.
3. "MSN". www.msn.com. Retrieved 2026-01-06.
4. "At least nine soldiers killed in ambush attack in Nigeria's Borno state, sources say".
5. "U.S. Forces Conduct Strikes Targeting ISIS-Somalia". United States Africa Command . 2026-01-10. Retrieved 2026-01-11.
6. "Islamic State kills 15 Christians in north-eastern Nigeria, demands conversion to Islam". Barnabas Aid. 2026-01-05. Retrieved 2026-01-12.
7. "U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia". United States Africa Command . 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
8. "U.S., Partner Forces Strike ISIS Targets in Syria". United States Central Command . 10 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
9. "U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia". United States Africa Command . Stuttgart, Germany. 13 January 2026.
10. Makama, Zagazola (2026-01-14). "NAF neutralized 10 ISWAP in devastating strikes in Timbuktu Triangle". Zagazola Makama. Retrieved 2026-01-14.
11. "U.S. Forces Kill Al-Qaeda Affiliate Leader Linked to ISIS Ambush on Americans in Syria". United States Central Command . 17 January 2026.
12. "https://www.stheadline.com/zh-hans/realtime-world/3537103/%E9%98%BF%E5%AF%8C%E6%B1%97%E5%96%80%E5%B8%83%E5%B0%94%E4%B8%AD%E9%A4%90%E9%A6%86%E7%88%86%E7%82%B8%E9%85%BF7%E6%AD%BB-%E4%B8%A4%E5%90%8D%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E5%85%AC%E6%B0%91%E4%B8%80%E6%AD%BB%E4%B8%80%E9%87%8D%E4%BC%A4-%E4%BC%8A%E6%96%AF%E5%85%B0%E5%9B%BD%E6%89%BF%E8%AE%A4%E8%B4%A3%E4%BB%BB".{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
13. "https://www.reuters.com/world/china/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-attack-chinese-run-restaurant-afghanistan-2026-01-19/".{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
14. Tondo, Lorenzo; Sabbagh, Dan (2026-01-19). "Dozens of IS prisoners freed in Syria amid clashes between army and Kurdish-led forces". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2026-01-20.
15. "https://hawarnews.com/en/sdf-shaddadi-prison-out-of-control".{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
16. "https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/kurdish-led-force-says-armed-group-attacks-syria-prison-holding-thousands-2026-01-19/".{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
17. iliyabature2022 (2026-01-20). "BREAKING: Troops Bust ISWAP Recruitment Syndicate in Borno, Arrest 3 Agents". PRNigeria News. Retrieved 2026-01-20.
18. "U.S. Forces Launch Mission in Syria to Transfer ISIS Detainees to Iraq". United States Central Command . Retrieved 21 January 2026.