IS still has funds to continue attacks – UN report
JOHANNESBURG – The UN has warned that the Islamic State is on the defensive militarily in several regions, including Africa, and resorting to covert communications.
The extremists are adapting to military pressure by using “dark web” communications the top UN political affairs official warned on Tuesday.
“Although its income and the territory under its control are shrinking, IS still appears to have sufficient funds to continue fighting,” Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman said, briefing the Security Council on the UN secretary-general’s fourth report on the threat the group poses to international peace and security efforts to “check and roll it back.”
UN member states are concerned that IS will try to expand other sources of income, such as kidnapping for ransom, he stated.
“IS is adapting in several ways to military pressure – resorting to increasingly covert communication and recruitment methods, including by using the “dark web,” encryption and messengers,” he warned.
While previous reports on the subject have focused on Southeast Asia, Yemen, east Africa, Libya and Afghanistan, the fourth report zeroes-in on Europe, north Africa and west Africa.
It notes that IS has conducted a range of attacks in Europe since declaring in 2014 its intent to target the region.
Some of these attacks were directed and facilitated by IS personnel, while others were enabled by IS providing guidance or assistance or were inspired through its propaganda.
While the military offensive in Libya has dislodged IS from its stronghold Sirte, the group’s threat to Libya and neighbouring countries persists.
Its fighters – estimated to range from several hundred to 3 000 – have moved to other parts of the country.
Ultimately, it is the spread and consolidation of peace, security, development and human rights that will most effectively deprive terrorism of the oxygen it needs to survive.
The reported pledge of loyalty to IS by a splinter faction of Al-Mourabitoun led by Lehbib Ould Ali may elevate the level of the threat.
IS affiliate Boko Haram is attempting to spread its influence and commit terrorist acts beyond Nigeria, thus remaining a serious threat.