ISIS ostaja resna grožnja kljub večletnim globalnim protiterorističnim prizadevanjem, opozarja ZN

ISIS remains a serious global threat despite years of sustained counterterrorism operations, according to a senior United Nations official briefing the Security Council on Wednesday. The warning comes amid reports that the terrorist group has adapted to military pressure by leveraging resilient regional affiliates operating in conflict zones across Africa and the Middle East. The UN Office of Counterterrorism’s briefer, Oguljeren Niyazberdiyeva, noted that although senior leadership within ISIS has been disrupted and the group’s central command has lost much of its ability to coordinate operations, its affiliates remain active and unified under a common ideology. She emphasized that the organization continues to exploit weak governance and ongoing violence to sustain itself and carry out attacks. The threat is particularly pronounced in regions such as the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, where several ISIS affiliates have strengthened their capabilities and expanded their influence. Among them, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) stands out as the most active affiliate globally. According to the briefer, ISWAP has demonstrated an increasing capacity to acquire and use commercial drone technology, raising concerns over the potential for more sophisticated attacks in the region. In Syria, the situation remains complex due to the evolving political and security landscape. The closure of the Al Hol detention camp in February has raised new security concerns, as the whereabouts of thousands of individuals who were held there remain unknown. The UN official highlighted this development as underscoring the need for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriation processes aligned with international law, as called for by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. In Iraq, while counterterrorism efforts have significantly curtailed ISIS’s operational abilities, the focus is shifting toward consolidating these gains. This includes strengthening democratic institutions, ensuring effective judicial systems, and implementing programs aimed at rehabilitating former members of the group. The briefer stressed that long-term stability requires addressing the root causes that might lead to renewed recruitment or insurgency. Meanwhile, Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) is being described as one of the group’s most capable affiliates. The briefer noted that ISIS-K continues to show both the intention and the means to support or inspire attacks outside of Afghanistan, particularly by exploiting local instability to attract recruits, plan operations, and maintain its presence in volatile areas. The UN official also pointed out that the group’s resilience stems from its decentralized structure, which allows it to operate independently in different regions while maintaining ideological cohesion. This adaptability has enabled ISIS to persist even after major territorial losses and sustained military campaigns against its core territories. As the global community continues to grapple with the challenges posed by ISIS and its affiliates, the emphasis remains on preventing the group’s resurgence through comprehensive strategies that combine security measures with socio-economic development and political reconciliation. The UN’s latest assessment underscores the persistent danger that ISIS poses and the necessity for coordinated international efforts to neutralize its threats.