Peace Journalists: Saudi-Backed IMCTC Targets Extremist Propaganda in Somalia

The Saudi-led Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC) launched the Peace Journalists initiative in Somalia – a specialized training program aimed at harnessing the skills of media professionals to combat disinformation and extremist propaganda.

For years, Saudi Arabia has intensified efforts to combat terrorism and extremist narratives, cementing its position as a bulwark against extremist ideologies. These efforts are spearheaded by the Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal), which has become a role model in removing online extremist content.

As extremist organizations use the digital space to disseminate hate speech, manipulate, influence, and recruit, the threat of extremism is expanding beyond the battlefield, necessitating integrated efforts to create professional content capable of confronting this threat.

The Peace Journalists

Driving the News: In collaboration with Saudi Arabia, the IMCTC launched the Peace Journalists initiative in Mogadishu to fight terrorist propaganda in the digital space. The ceremony was attended by high-profile government, security, and media officials, including Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi and IMCTC Secretary-General Major General Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Moghedi.

The Big Picture: The initiative aims to empower local media by training 40 local journalists, academics, media professionals, and digital influencers in Somalia to transform them from mere information transmitters into active counter-messaging agents.

Core Focus Areas:

• Exposing extremist narrative
• Combating hate speech
• Dismantling disinformation campaigns
• Neutralizing terrorist propaganda

The Digital Frontline

State of Play: The Peace Journalists initiative is part of the IMCTC’s efforts to build the capacities of member states, immunize their intellectual and media environments, and enhance the capabilities of media institutions and journalists to detect and combat extremist propaganda.

Technical Framework & Training:

• Information disorder framework
• Open-source intelligence (OSINT) and digital verification
• Image and video analysis
• Network analysis
• The psychological and social impacts of extremist discourse
• The development of counter-narratives and media literacy

In Their Words: “Countering terrorism cannot rely solely on military and security efforts, but requires building responsible media discourse to immunize communities against disinformation, radicalization, and extremist propaganda, and to entrench the values of moderation and coexistence.” – Somali Defense Minister Ahmed Moallim Fiqi.

“The Peace Journalists initiative aims to transform journalists from mere information transmitters into media professionals equipped with tools for analysis, verification, detection, and counter-messaging, capable of identifying disinformation sources, exposing fake accounts, detecting coordinated influence operations, and building counter-narratives.” – IMCTC Secretary-General Major General Al-Moghedi.

IMCTC’s Core Pillars

Zoom In: The Somali Defense Minister stressed Mogadishu’s unwavering commitment to combating terrorism and drying up its ideological, media, and financial sources.

Between the Lines: The Peace Journalists initiative aligns with the IMCTC’s four domains:

• Ideology: Raise awareness about the true and moderate principles of Islam and refute extremist narratives.
• Communications: Expose terrorist propaganda and coordinate media strategies.
• Counter-Terrorism Financing: Take effective measures to track, detect, and curb terrorist financing networks.
• Military Coordination: Build security capacity of member states and share intelligence to counter the threats of armed terrorist groups.

The Backstory: Under the Communications domain, the IMCTC has rolled out the Peace Journalists initiative in several countries, including Maldives, Palestine, Cote d’Ivoire, and Yemen.

Etidal: The Saudi Model

Deep Dive: Established in 2017, the Riyadh-based Global Center for Combating Extremist Ideology (Etidal) is Saudi Arabia’s premier technological shield against digital extremism. The non-profit organization aims to fight extremist ideology and promote moderation. Its strategy is based on refuting the extremist content and combating its impact; countering extremist ideology; raising awareness through promoting moderation, tolerance and coexistence; and fostering international partnerships to counter extremist ideology.

To achieve its goals, Etidal deploys advanced technology and innovative software tools to detect, classify and analyze any extremist content on social media platforms such as Telegram, and other media outlets. The organization has also launched multiple anti-extremism initiatives.

Etidal’s Key Initiatives:

• Moderate Initiative: Encourages community cooperation in combating extremist ideology.
• Tafneed: Dismantles and refute the extremist ideology circulating online and on social media platforms.
• Research Collaboration: Helps postgraduate students in their thesis and studies of combating extremist ideology.
• University Training: Provides university graduates with necessary skills and training to counter terrorism.
• Gether2 Initiative: Educates people with hearing disabilities on the risks of extremism.

By the Numbers:

• 5 million: Pieces of extremist propaganda removed on Telegram from February 2022 to June 30, 2026.
• 20,362: Extremist channels shut down on Telegram from February 2022 to June 30, 2026.
• 97 million: Pieces of extremist content removed throughout 2025.

The Bottom Line: As sustainable peace in Somalia relies on empowering local voices with the digital tools and counter-narratives needed to combat extremism, the Saudi Etidal model provides a comprehensive strategic framework for silencing extremist propaganda and strengthening global counterterrorism efforts.