Somali-British man jailed for 12 years over IS attempt
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Caasimada Online
A London court sentenced Maxamed Maxamuud, a 22-year-old British man of Somali origin, to 12 years in prison after finding him guilty of attempting to join the Islamic State group in Somalia. He returned to the UK in March 2025 after failing to reach the fighters, according to Caasimada Online.
A London court sentenced Mohamed Mahmoud, a 22-year-old British man of Somali origin, to 12 years in prison for attempting to join the Islamic State (IS) group in Somalia. The judge said the young man had done everything he could to join the organisation, Caasimada Online reported.
Mahmoud, who was born in Somalia and lived in Bristol, travelled to East Africa in January 2025. He failed to reach IS fighters and returned to the UK on 3 March. A jury found him guilty in August of preparing terrorist acts, following a trial at Winchester Crown Court.
Prosecutors said Mahmoud had become radicalised in 2024 while watching extremist videos on YouTube and TikTok. Investigators also found Telegram exchanges in which he asked for help to join fighters in Somalia and said he wanted to die as a martyr. His phone contained IS propaganda videos and messages related to his plan to travel.
British counter-terrorism police arrested him after his return to the UK. Data from his phone showed that he had been in several locations in Somalia between January and March 2025, according to evidence presented in court.
Summary produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools, under AFREEQUE’s editorial responsibility.
