UN: despite Trump's proclamations, 'significant' Islamic State threats in Syria
A report by United Nations observers denies the White House proclamations. Between Syria and Iraq there are an estimated 14,000 to 18,000 active combatants, including 3,000 foreigners. Daesh is determined to resist and has the ability to fight back. The danger of external terrorist operations remains.
Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - The Islamic State (IS, ex Isis) has not been defeated in Syria and continues to be the most "significant" threat to regional security and peace, among all terrorist groups in the area according to a report by independent UN observers.
Their report contrast the claims of US President Donald Trump (reiterated in recent days) that the jihadist movement has been "swept away".
According to a document prepared by the sanctions monitoring group, presented to the UN Security Council, between Syria and Iraq to date there are between 14 thousand and 18 thousand active fighters, including 3 thousand foreign-born extremists. "ISIS has not been defeated - explains the document - but remains under intense military pressure". Daesh [Arabic acronym for the Islamic State] "has shown a determination to resist and the ability to fight back".
On December 19, Trump had aroused amazement by announcing the withdrawal of American troops because ISIS was defeated. He repeated as much yesterday, anticipating the conclusion of operations in the war against the jihadists with the victory of the Arab-Kurdish coalition supported by the Americans.
The UN observer group recalls that the Islamic State, more than al-Qaeda and other jihadist movements, represents "the greatest threat" to the region.
The Caliphate "is more active more than any other terrorist group" and for this reason "remains the most serious threat". Having lost much of its territory in the last year, today it operates as an undercover network whose leadership remains under Abu Bakr al-Baghdad (given several times for dead in the past).
Despite being greatly reduced, the IS leadership "is transferring most of the fighters to Iraq" to join the local network; the goal is to "survive, consolidate and resurrect in this key area". "If successful - concludes the report - ISIS could give a new impetus to its activity, directing itself towards external terrorist operations".
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