Security Council hears of persistent and evolving Da’esh threat

The discussion focused on the 20th biannual report of the Secretary-General on the threat 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 Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, Head of the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism.

“Da’esh remains agile, taking advantage of ongoing conflicts and regions experiencing growing instability,” emphasised Natalia Gherman, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED).

This comes amid shifting global counter-terrorism efforts, including the conclusion of the Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da'esh (UNITAD) mandate, which leaves behind a significant judicial support legacy for future accountability processes.

Ongoing threats in Syria

The volatile situation in the Syrian Arab Republic is concerning, “especially as there is a risk that stockpiles of advanced weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists,” explained Mr. Voronkov.

The risk is particularly high in the Syrian Badia region, the central hub for Da’esh’s external operational planning.

Meanwhile, over 40,000 people - including women and children - are stuck in overcrowded camps in northeastern Syria due to the ongoing instability. Many face extreme shortages of clean water, medical care and sanitation.

The Under-Secretary-General stressed the need for urgent action, noting that repatriation efforts have slowed dramatically: “Only five Member States reportedly repatriated more than 760 individuals from Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic,” he noted.

Sub-Saharan Africa: A new frontline

“In sub-Saharan Africa, Da’esh and its affiliates continue to increase their operations and expand territorial control,” said Mr. Voronkov.

Terrorist groups like Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Islamic State in the Greater Sahel (ISGS) have been carrying out deadly attacks on civilians and security forces.

“In the Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin, Da’esh’s decentralised operations continue to proliferate as regional cooperation declines,” Ms. Gherman warned.

UN assessments in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Malawi, Mauritania and Tanzania found that while some progress has been made, gaps in border security, counter-financing of terrorism and regional cooperation remain critical challenges.

Officials in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have specifically called for enhanced UN support to prevent the further expansion of terrorist threats southward.

Growing online radicalisation

Da’esh continues to recruit and inspire attacks through online propaganda. One of its most dangerous branches, ISIL-K, has been plotting attacks beyond Afghanistan.

“ISIL-K supporters plotted attacks in Europe and were actively seeking to recruit individuals from Central Asian States,” noted Ms. Gherman.

French authorities recently arrested an 18-year-old plotting an attack in July 2024.

Meanwhile, the 1 January terrorist attack in New Orleans in the United States, where an individual claimed to have been inspired by ISIL, has raised additional concerns about the group’s expanding influence through digital propaganda and online radicalisation.

Fighting terrorist financing

In response to the evolving financing methods of terrorist groups, the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) recently adopted the Algeria Guiding Principles, which aim to prevent, detect and disrupt the use of new and emerging financial technologies for terrorist purposes.

CTED has also strengthened cooperation with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNDOC), contributing to a landmark case in Mozambique, where the first successful prosecution of a terrorism-financing case was recently achieved.

“Multilateral cooperation remains essential”

Mr. Voronkov emphasised the need for a coordinated, multilateral approach to counter Da’esh’s evolving strategies.

“Despite steady counter-terrorism efforts by Member States, international and regional partners, Da’esh continues to demonstrate resilience and adapt its modus operandi,” he told the Council. “The group’s ability to exploit instability highlights the need for sustained international collaboration.”

Ms. Gherman echoed this sentiment, urging countries to adopt long-term strategies that respect 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.