The terrorist organization Da’esh, also known as ISIL, continues to pose a grave threat to global security despite years of international efforts to dismantle its operations, UN counter-terrorism officials have warned.
Speaking at a recent Security Council meeting, experts highlighted the evolving strategies of the militant group and its growing influence in unstable regions.
The discussion was centered on the 20th biannual report of the Secretary-General regarding the dangers posed by Da’esh to international peace and security. “Terrorism remains a significant and evolving threat to global peace and security, one that no State can confront in isolation,” said Vladimir Voronkov, Under-Secretary-General and Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism.
Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) emphasized that “Da’esh remains agile, taking advantage of ongoing conflicts and regions experiencing growing instability.”
The meeting comes as global counter-terrorism efforts shift, particularly following the conclusion of the Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh (UNITAD) mandate. The initiative leaves behind a strong legal foundation for future judicial processes aimed at holding perpetrators accountable.
The ongoing instability in Syria remains a key concern, particularly in the Syrian Badia region, which has become the central hub for Da’esh’s external operational planning. “Especially as there is a risk that stockpiles of advanced weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists,” warned Voronkov.
Meanwhile, over 40,000 individuals, including women and children, are trapped in overcrowded camps in northeastern Syria, facing dire shortages of clean water, medical aid, and proper sanitation.
Despite the urgent need for humanitarian action, repatriation efforts have significantly slowed. “Only five Member States reportedly repatriated more than 760 individuals from Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic,” Voronkov added.
Sub-Saharan Africa, A Growing Frontline
Da’esh and its affiliates continue expanding operations across Sub-Saharan Africa, intensifying attacks on civilians and security forces. “In sub-Saharan Africa, Da’esh and its affiliates continue to increase their operations and expand territorial control,” said Voronkov.
Groups such as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS) have carried out deadly assaults, particularly in the Sahel and Lake Chad Basin, where declining regional cooperation has fueled instability.
UN assessments in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania, and Tanzania have identified critical weaknesses in border security, counter-terrorism financing, and regional collaboration. Officials from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have called for enhanced UN support to prevent the spread of terrorist activities further south.
Da’esh continues to use digital propaganda to recruit and inspire terrorist attacks worldwide. One of its most dangerous factions, ISIL-K, has been actively plotting attacks beyond Afghanistan. “ISIL-K supporters plotted attacks in Europe and were actively seeking to recruit individuals from Central Asian States,” noted Gherman.
French authorities recently thwarted a terror plot involving an 18-year-old suspect in July 2024. Similarly, the January 1 attack in New Orleans, USA where an individual claimed to have been inspired by ISIL raised further alarm about the group’s ability to radicalize individuals online.
Tackling Terrorist Financing
As terrorist groups adapt their financing methods, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) has implemented new strategies, including the Algeria Guiding Principles, to prevent the misuse of emerging financial technologies.
CTED has also intensified cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), leading to significant legal victories. One notable success was achieved in Mozambique, where authorities secured their first conviction in a terrorism-financing case.
Despite international efforts, Da’esh continues to display resilience and adaptability, underscoring the need for a sustained multilateral response.
“Despite steady counter-terrorism efforts by Member States, international and regional partners, Da’esh continues to demonstrate resilience and adapt its modus operandi,” Voronkov told the Security Council. “The group’s ability to exploit instability highlights the need for sustained international collaboration.”
Gherman echoed the call for stronger cooperation, urging nations to adopt long-term counter-terrorism strategies that uphold human rights and the rule of law.
“CTED, working alongside Member States and other United Nations entities, remains committed to ensuring that our actions are responsive to emerging challenges,” she concluded.
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