Today's Edition
DINA MAHMOUD (LONDON)
The announcement by Da’esh claiming responsibility for approximately 30 attacks worldwide earlier this month has significantly heightened concerns within security and intelligence communities in major global capitals.
Fears are growing that Da’esh might be resurging after a period of inactivity. Counter-terrorism experts are particularly alarmed by the coordination and scale of these attacks, occurring within just 24 hours.
The attacks included two bombings in Iran causing around 100 casualties and others across Africa and Asia, indicating a potential end to the relative peace Western countries have experienced since the defeat of Da’esh in Iraq and Syria.
These incidents underscore the growing threat of the Da’esh branch in Afghanistan, known as Da’esh-Khorasan.
The group’s expanded targeting and operations into Asian countries like Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Kyrgyzstan, and the Maldives, and its claims of attacks elsewhere, highlight its increasing reach.
Experts are now questioning how Da’esh-Khorasan has enhanced its capacity to support lone-wolf terrorists across disparate regions, including European countries, suggesting an adaptability akin to al-Qaeda.
A primary concern for Western security and intelligence agencies is the ability of Da’esh to recruit “lone wolves”. This term describes individuals acting independently without direct financial or organisational support from Da’esh leadership. This modus operandi complicates efforts to detect and prevent attacks.
Although Da’esh activities in Afghanistan and surrounding areas have slowed, the increased threat in other regions remains a significant concern for the United States and its European allies.
Security experts advise Western countries to remain vigilant, particularly as Da’esh may exploit regional tensions and Middle Eastern turmoil to reignite its ambitions of re-establishing a “caliphate”.
As reported by the New York Post, the absence of recent terrorist attacks in Europe does not necessarily indicate a decrease in Da’esh efforts, but rather the effectiveness of European security forces in thwarting potential attacks that want to damage Western interests.
