Supreme Islamic Courts Council

Somali organization

Also known as: ICU, Islamic Courts Union, SICC

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July 17, 2026

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The Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC) was a Somali organization that emerged in June 2006 when the Islamic Courts Union (ICU) took control of Mogadishu and southern Somalia. The SICC challenged the authority of Somalia's Transitional Federal Government (TFG). This led to further hostilities, with Ethiopia sending troops to support the TFG. Concerns were raised about the SICC's potential ties to al-Qaeda, particularly the militant faction al-Shabaab. In December 2006, Ethiopian and Somali troops pushed the SICC out of Mogadishu. While the SICC largely disintegrated, al-Shabaab continued its activities.12

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al-Shabaab
…a militia affiliated with the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a federation of local and clan-based Islamic courts that had been founded in southern Somalia in 2004 to combat the lawlessness and banditry afflicting the area since the collapse of the government of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. From about 2004…
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…a militia affiliated with the Islamic Courts Union (ICU), a federation of local and clan-based Islamic courts that had been founded in southern Somalia in 2004 to combat the lawlessness and banditry afflicting the area since the collapse of the government of Mohamed Siad Barre in 1991. From about 2004…
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Somalia
Attempts at peace
…changed its name to the Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC). The group challenged the authority of the TFG, and further hostilities ensued. In response, Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia to defend the beleaguered TFG. This action was generally supported by the international community, since the TFG was internationally recognized as…
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…changed its name to the Supreme Islamic Courts Council (SICC). The group challenged the authority of the TFG, and further hostilities ensued. In response, Ethiopia sent troops to Somalia to defend the beleaguered TFG. This action was generally supported by the international community, since the TFG was internationally recognized as…
Read More