Maldives Renews Hardline Stance Against Global Terror Networks

The government of President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has released an updated roster of proscribed terrorist organizations, underscoring its effort to align more closely with global counterterrorism standards amid shifting regional security dynamics. The list, published in the government gazette and authorized by President Muizzu under Section 18 of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Law No. 32/2015), underscores the island nation’s determination to confront transnational extremist threats despite its modest size and limited security infrastructure.

The update followed deliberations within the National Security Council, which has sought to synchronize domestic enforcement mechanisms with international designations. The Maldives’ assertive posture reflects a broader effort to signal reliability to global partners concerned about extremist recruitment and financing routes in the Indian Ocean.

The 2026 registry includes 19 organizations, spanning well‑established global networks such as Al Qaeda and the Islamic State group, as well as regional affiliates operating in South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

The Proscribed Organizations

Below is the full list of designated groups, including known aliases, as published by the government:

1. Al Qaida (AQ) — Also known as Al‑Qa’eda, Qaidath al‑Jihad, Islamic Salvation Foundation.
2. Al‑Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) — Also known as Ansar al‑Sharia.
3. Al‑Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) — Including Tanzim al‑Qaida fi bilad al‑Maghreb al‑Islamiya.
4. Al Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) — Also known as Jamā‘at Qā‘idat al‑Jihād fī Shibh al‑Qārrah al‑Hindīyah.
5. Jabhat al‑Nusra (JN) — Aliases include Al Nusra Front, Assembly for the Liberation of Syria.
6. Hurras al‑Din — Also known as Guardians of Religion.
7. Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) — Also known as ISIL, Daesh, Islamic State.
8. Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP) — Including Wilayah Khorasan.
9. Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) — Also known as Al‑Harakat Al‑Islamiyya.
10. Boko Haram — Including Nigerian Mujahideen, Islamic State West Africa Province.
11. Al Shabaab — Also known as Harakat al‑Shabaab al‑Mujahideen.
12. National Thowheed Jama’ath (NTJ) — Linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka.
13. Jama’athe Milla’athe Ibrahim (JMI).
14. Lashkar‑e‑Taiba (LeT) — Including Lashkar‑e‑Tayyaba.
15. Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — Also known as the Pakistani Taliban.
16. Wilayath As Seylani (WAS).
17. Jaish‑e‑Mohamed (JeM) — Including Khudamul Islam.
18. Harkat‑ul‑Jihad al‑Islami (HUJI).
19. Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) — Also known as Ansaaruh Daulah.

Many of the groups on the list have been repeatedly “relisted” — in some cases eight times since 2019.