Terrorism: US vows continuous action against ISIL, al-Qa’ida

The United States is maintaining a strong focus on counterterrorism, particularly targeting ISIL, al-Qa'ida, and associated groups that are leveraging instability in regions like Africa and Asia. This was highlighted by U.S. Deputy Representative to the UN, Ambassador Tammy Bruce, during a UN Security Council briefing.

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Countering ISIL, al-Qa’ida, and their affiliates remains a key priority. These groups continue to exploit instability as evidenced by al-Qa’ida’s gains in the Sahel, ISIL’s growing focus on Africa, and the persistent threat from ISIL-K in Afghanistan

Bruce detailed the U.S. national Counterterrorism Strategy, released in May, which outlines three key threat areas: narco-terrorists and transnational gangs, traditional Islamist terrorist groups, and violent left-wing extremists. She noted that ISIL's focus is increasingly shifting towards Africa, while al-Qa'ida continues to make gains in the Sahel region, and ISIL-K remains a persistent threat in Afghanistan.

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Beyond the jihadist threat, Iran and its proxies and partners, including the Houthis, Hizballah, Hamas, and Iran-aligned militias in Iraq, continue destabilizing the Middle East and seeking broader reach. Expanded information sharing is vital to prevent them from acquiring critical weapons and to constrain their actions

Beyond the threat posed by jihadist groups, Bruce also addressed the destabilizing influence of Iran and its proxies, including the Houthis, Hezbollah, and Hamas. She stressed the critical need for expanded intelligence coordination and robust information sharing among UN member states to prevent these entities from acquiring advanced weaponry and to curb their destabilizing actions.

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Designations alone are insufficient. We must strengthen information sharing on the tactics, networks, funding, and malign state actors enabling this violence

Furthermore, Ambassador Bruce pointed to the evolving tactics of terrorist organizations, which now include greater use of satellite communications, artificial intelligence, drones, and cryptocurrencies. This evolving landscape, she stated, requires heightened vigilance from both member states and the private sector. She commended nations that have successfully constrained ISIL and al-Qa'ida operations and encouraged broader participation in repatriating and prosecuting foreign terrorist fighters.

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demands vigilance from member states and the private sector