United Nations: ISIS still poses a serious threat despite decline in its central capabilities
New York, Aug 5 (KUNA) -- The United Nations warned on Wednesday that the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) continues to pose a serious threat to international peace and security, and remains capable of resilience and adaptation to changing circumstances despite sustained counter-terrorism pressures that have curtailed the group’s ability to centrally manage its operations and disrupted its senior leadership.
This warning came during a briefing delivered by Ogulgeren Niyazberdieva, Director of the Office of the Acting Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism, before the UN Security Council, where she presented the 23rd report of the UN Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIS to international peace and security.
Niyazberdieva stated that the group continues to exploit fragile security environments and protracted armed conflicts, noting that the threat remains most acute in parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel region and the Lake Chad basin. She added that several ISIS branches have strengthened their capabilities, expanded their operational reach, and developed new tactical methods. She highlighted that the ISIS Province of West Africa remains the most active branch globally, demonstrating increasing proficiency in acquiring and using commercial drones.
Regarding Syria, Niyazberdieva explained that ongoing political and security developments continue to reshape the threat landscape, citing the closure of the Al-Hol camp last February after it raised growing security concerns amid the unknown whereabouts of thousands of individuals.
She further noted that sustained counter-terrorism pressures in Iraq have significantly degraded ISIS’s capabilities, emphasizing the need to consolidate these gains through strong, accountable institutions, effective justice administration, rehabilitation and reintegration programs, and addressing conditions that could allow the group to regain momentum.
The UN official affirmed that maintaining progress against the terrorist organization requires strengthening international and regional cooperation, countering the group’s exploitation of modern technologies—including artificial intelligence, encrypted communications, drones, and virtual assets—and ensuring that all counter-terrorism measures comply with international law.
She outlined three priorities for the international response to eliminate the terrorist organization. The first is enhancing international cooperation through improved information sharing, border management, and criminal justice collaboration, stressing that no single country can confront this threat alone. The second priority is countering ISIS’s exploitation of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, digital platforms, and drones, while strengthening international cooperation and oversight of these technologies. The third priority is adhering to and respecting international law, which forms the foundation for the success and sustainability of counter-terrorism efforts.
In this context, the UN official commended the resilience of terrorism victims and survivors ahead of the International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, observed on August 21. She announced that the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism would organize a high-level event on this occasion, featuring testimonies from victims and survivors, messages from senior UN officials, and a global minute of silence. (End) A.S.T./R.J.
