If you thought the Islamic State terror group had gone away, think again. Despite military defeat in Syria and Iraq, ISIS still has thousands of fighters with 25 affiliate groups around the world.
Now, western intelligence agencies are bracing for terror attacks after the group called for revenge against Christians. They’re angry after a Danish activist publicly burned a Quran in Sweden last month.
Protests erupted throughout the Islamic world after that Quran burning. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said while the burning was deeply disrespectful, it was protected under freedom of expression.
The Islamic State is pushing for payback on social media. The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins March 23rd and last year’s observance saw 42 ISIS terror attacks in just three days.
The threat from ISIS is as real as ever, and intelligence agencies are on the lookout.
Security expert Eric Caron says that in the Middle East and Asia, ISIS never went away.
“They have approximately 16,000 fighters between Iraq and Syria. They control 6 million people in that region. They have franchises throughout the world. We’re talking probably around 25 franchises throughout Africa and Europe,” Caron says.
A recent United Nations report also shows the ISIS threat increasing. Africa has been called the world’s fastest-growing terrorist hotspot.
“Look, you have to kill folks on the battlefield to take ground. But I don’t think we ever fought against the ideas that really resonate between the six inches of people’s foreheads,” Sangari said. “So, (ISIS) will continue to fight and will continue to take territory. It will continue to force individuals to convert or basically, die in the process.” {eoa}
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