The woman fighting IS in Somalia

The Islamic State group maintains a stronghold in Somalia’s Puntland region, utilizing hit-and-run tactics, public bombings, and extortion to destabilize the area and generate millions in revenue. Local resistance, led by the Puntland Defence Force, includes rare female combatants like Muna Ali Dahir, who fight to secure a future for their children free from militant influence. Meanwhile, Israel’s Iranian Jewish community navigates a complex dual identity, balancing deep-seated cultural nostalgia for their homeland with the realities of the ongoing regional conflict. Despite the impossibility of returning to Iran, many maintain strong ties to Persian heritage through music and community, while fearing for the safety of the Jewish population remaining in Iran. These stories highlight the resilience of individuals caught in the crossfire of global extremism and geopolitical tensions.