UN warns of activities in Libya, threat to Europe

The Islamic State is still very much alive and kicking on our doorstep, according to a United Nations report for its Security Council circulated this week.

The report, released on Monday, details how the terrorist group is still very much active in North Africa, that it has expanded its operations in Libya over the last six months of 2018, and how the group still present a clear and present danger to neighbouring countries and to Europe.

In nearby North Africa, the report notes that the Islamic State has expanded its area of operation in Libya and “continues to represent a substantial threat, both locally and to neighbouring countries“.

The terrorist group is increasingly resorting to “hit-and-run operations” out of several points of concentration and “frequently raided and held inner-town police stations in shows of strength and to secure arms“.

The report also notes how IS had also carried out attacks against the National Oil Corporation headquarters in Libya’s capital Tripoli in September and against the Mabruk oil field in November.

In the meantime, Islamic State, according to the report, still poses “a significant threat in Europe despite its diminished ability to direct attacks“.

There have been fewer “lone actor” at- tacks in Europe recently, which suggests the group’s “ability even to inspire such attacks may be declining.”

But communications have recently restarted between IS command and individuals in Europe, the report warns.

While the number of foreign fighters returning home in the last half of 2018 “was relatively low“, they remain a threat as does the “radicalisation of criminals within the prison system”.