UN warns of ISIS resurgence

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, said on Wednesday that the threat from ISIS  is still very real in both Syria and Iraq, where the group retains an estimated 6,000-10,000 fighters and continues to carry out hit-and-run operations, ambushes and roadside bombings.

Mr. Voronkov described a recent attempted jailbreak by Da’esh fighters in Syria’s Al-Hasakah city – which resulted in widespread clashes and a humanitarian crisis for the local population, including children – as a “shattering and sober reminder” of the network’s “extreme brutal violence”. 

“The extremist organizations of ISIS and al-Qaeda still pose a threat to international security,” he added.

“Fighting these extremists militarily is not enough, but rather it is necessary to take preventive measures to reduce their danger,” he stressed.

The Secretary-General’s report describes “online terrorist radicalization and recruitment” as one of the foremost concerns relating to ISIS in non-conflict zones and notes that the group and its affiliates have continued attempting to exploit socioeconomic hardship, grievances, and political tensions.