United Nations: The United Nations (UN) counter-terrorism chief said that more than 10,000 of its militants are still active in Iraq and Syria, two years after defeating the terrorist group ISIS and their attacks have increased this year. Vladimir Voronkov told the UN Security Council that Islamic State militants move freely in “small branches between two countries”. He said that the militant group (also known as IS, ISIL, and ISIS) has re-united and its activities have increased in some regional locations besides the conflict areas like Iraq and Syria.
Voronkov said, “However, the threat appears to have decreased in non-conflict areas.” “Steps such as lockdown and movement restrictions to combat Covid-19 have reduced the risk of attacks by terrorist groups in many countries,” he said. Talking about Africa, he said that the Islamic State in West Africa province “remains a major center of ISIL’s global propaganda and has around 3500 members here”. Citing three ISIL-inspired attacks in France and two attacks in the UK, he said the main threat in Europe was increased by “Internet-driven, radicalizing domestic terrorists”.
Regarding Afghanistan, Voronkov said ISIL’s allies have carried out several escalating attacks in various parts of the country, including Kabul, and they intend to use Afghan territory “to spread their influence throughout the region”. They also want to attract those who oppose the recent peace deal between the Americans and the Taliban. Voronkov also reiterated the call of UN Secretary-General Antonio Gutarais, in which he has called on all countries to implement international law and bring back all the children, women and men trapped in the place.
