[MEMRI.ORG] In a sudden move in April 2019, ISIS announced the formation of its ISCAP branch when it claimed its first attack in the DRC, around the same time as the April 21, 2019 highly coordinated Easter bombings targeting "Crusaders" and "belligerent Christians" in Sri Lanka that killed 267 people.Since then, ISCAP has carried out many operations in both northeastern DRC and northern Mozambique, incorporating the two groups under the banner of the newly established branch. In October 2020, ISCAP carried out its first attack in Tanzania, revealing the branch's intention to expand further in eastern Africa and potentially establish a foothold in southern Africa.
ISIS's expansion in Africa is driven by a strategy of working with local murderous Moslem groups that could turn into official branches if they meet the criteria set by the central leadership for official recognition. If accepted, they become ISIS provinces, just as Boko Haram