{"id":62530,"date":"2020-08-25T11:16:09","date_gmt":"2020-08-25T11:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2020\/08\/25\/over-10000-islamic-state-fighters-active-in-iraq-syria-as-attacks-significantly-increase-un\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T13:31:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T13:31:36","slug":"over-10000-islamic-state-fighters-active-in-iraq-syria-as-attacks-significantly-increase-un","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/flashpoints\/2020\/08\/25\/over-10000-islamic-state-fighters-active-in-iraq-syria-as-attacks-significantly-increase-un\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 10,000 Islamic State fighters active in Iraq, Syria as attacks \u2018significantly\u2019 increase: UN"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

UNITED NATIONS \u2014 More than 10,000 Islamic State<\/a> fighters are estimated to remain active in Iraq and Syria two years after the militant group\u2019s defeat, and their attacks have significantly increased this year, the U.N. counter-terrorism chief said Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vladimir Voronkov told the U.N. Security Council that Islamic State fighters move freely \u201cin small cells between the two countries.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the Islamic State<\/a> extremist group \u2014 also known as IS, ISIL and ISIS \u2014 has regrouped and its activity has increased not only in conflict zones like Iraq and Syria but also in some regional affiliates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHowever, in non-conflict zones, the threat appears to have decreased in the short term,\u201d he said. \u201cMeasures to minimize the spread of COVID-19, such as lockdowns and restrictions on movement, seem to have reduced the risk of terrorist attacks in many countries.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nonetheless, Voronkov said, \u201cthere is a continued trend of attacks by individuals inspired online and acting alone or in small groups, which could be fueled by ISIL\u2019s opportunistic propaganda efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He said the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the challenges of eliminating the threat of terrorism, pointing to actions by IS and other terrorist groups seeking \u201cto exploit the far-reaching disruption and negative socioeconomic and political impacts of the pandemic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But Voronkov said the pandemic\u2019s impact on IS recruitment and fundraising activities remains unclear, and there is no clear indication of a change in the extremist group\u2019s strategic direction under its leader, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are about 5,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and several hundred in Syria. President Donald Trump has vowed to bring them home soon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re helping where we can,\u201d Trump said in response to reporters\u2019 questions last weekabout the continued U.S. military presence in Iraq<\/a>. \u201cBut it\u2019s a separate country. They have a prime minister. They have people in office. They have to run their country. We\u2019ve been in Iraq for a long time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFrankly, I didn\u2019t think (the Iraq War) was a good idea \u2026 Now we\u2019re getting out, we\u2019ll be leaving shortly.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When pressed for a specific timeline, Trump deferred to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who said all of the troops will leave \u201cas soon as we complete the mission. The president has made it clear he wants forces down to the lowest level as quickly as they can. That\u2019s the vision he has given us, and we\u2019re working with the Iraqis to achieve that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t