February 17, 2024 03:38 am | Updated 03:38 am IST - UNITED NATIONSThe Islamic State extremist group poses a rising threat amid political instability in West Africa and the Sahel and remains intent on carrying out attacks abroad, the U.N. counter-terrorism chief said on Thursday. Vladimir Voronkov reiterated UN findings that IS continues to pose a significant threat to international peace and security, especially in conflict zones, despite significant progress by UN member nations in countering the threat. The group has also increased operations in its former strongholds in Iraq and Syria as well as Southeast Asia, Mr. Voronkov said. Mr. Voronkov, who heads the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism, said countering the threat of terrorism in Africa remains a priority for his office. In Iraq, they are carrying out “a low-intensity insurgency with covert terrorist cells” while in Syria attacks have intensified since November, the experts said.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 16, 2024 23:45 UTC