UN: ISIS remains a regional threat despite losses
By Saad al-Yaziji
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) said on Wednesday that the Islamic State (ISIS) group remains active in both Syria and Iraq, warning of its continuing threat to regional and international peace.
During a UN Security Council session dedicated to the threat posed by ISIS, the office stressed that the group’s activities remain “volatile and complex,” with attempts to exploit fragile security conditions in Syria.
UNOCT underlined that despite significant territorial losses in recent years, ISIS continues to pursue strategies aimed at sustaining its networks. This includes efforts to build cross-border financing systems capable of maintaining its clandestine operations.
The office also emphasized that focusing solely on targeting the group’s leadership is insufficient. “The threat requires comprehensive measures addressing its broader structures and funding,” UNOCT representatives noted during the session.
Syria, particularly areas liberated from ISIS control by the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) with support from the Global Coalition, continues to face security challenges linked to ISIS sleeper cells. While the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) has implemented security operations and governance mechanisms to counter instability, ISIS cells remain active in certain desert and border regions.
In Iraq, the organization has also sought to regroup in rural areas, carrying out sporadic attacks that underscore its resilience despite heavy military defeats. The UN office warned that such attacks highlight the group’s persistent capacity to destabilize communities and undermine local security.
The Security Council session further drew attention to ISIS’s transnational ambitions, pointing to its efforts to mobilize resources and establish connections beyond the region. UNOCT urged coordinated international responses to address these networks and mitigate risks of resurgence.