New York: Europe and the Arabs

The United Nations warned that ISIS still poses a serious threat to international peace and security, stressing that the organization – despite the continued pressure of counter-terrorism operations that have disrupted its senior leadership and reduced its ability to centrally manage its operations – remains capable of surviving and adapting to changes. According to the UN daily news bulletin, a copy of which we received Thursday morning, “In a briefing to the Security Council on Wednesday, Ogulgerine Niyazberdiyeva, Director of the Office of the Acting Under-Secretary-General for Counter-Terrorism, reviewed the Secretary-General’s 23rd report on the threat posed by ISIS to international peace and security. She also highlighted the UN’s efforts to support Member States in confronting this evolving threat.

She explained that the organization continues to exploit fragile security environments and protracted armed conflicts, noting that the danger remains most acute in parts of Africa, particularly in the Sahel region and the Lake Chad Basin.

According to the report, several ISIS affiliates have strengthened their capabilities, expanded their operations, and developed their tactics. The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) remains the most active ISIS affiliate globally and has demonstrated an increasing ability to acquire and use commercial drones.

Syria, Iraq, and South Asia

The UN official highlighted developments in Syria, where political and security shifts continue to reshape the threat environment. Niyazberdiyeva noted that the closure of the al-Hol camp last February raised growing security concerns, as the whereabouts of thousands of people remain unknown.

She said this "underlines the Secretary-General's call for safe, voluntary, and dignified repatriations, in accordance with international law."

In Iraq, she explained that sustained counterterrorism pressure has significantly reduced ISIS's capabilities, but stressed that maintaining these gains requires strong and accountable institutions, effective justice administration, and rehabilitation and reintegration programs, along with addressing the conditions that could allow the group to regroup.

In South Asia, ISIS-Khorasan remains one of the group's most capable branches, continuing to demonstrate its willingness and ability to support or inspire attacks outside Afghanistan, while simultaneously exploiting local instability to recruit new members, plan operations, and sustain its activities.

International cooperation is urgently needed. Niyazberdiyeva stated that maintaining the progress made against ISIS requires continued prevention efforts, enhanced international and regional cooperation, and comprehensive responses based on International Law.

In this context, Ms. Niyazberdiyeva identified three key pillars upon which the international response should be based:

First, strengthening international cooperation. She stressed that “no country can confront this threat alone,” calling for international cooperation to be translated into practical measures, including information sharing, enhanced border management, cooperation in criminal justice, financial investigations, and coordinated responses.

Second, countering the organization’s exploitation of modern technology. In this regard, she warned of the increasing use by ISIS and its affiliates of artificial intelligence, encrypted communications, digital platforms, virtual assets, and drones, emphasizing the need to strengthen governance, oversight, and international cooperation, including with the private sector, while leveraging these technologies to support prevention and counter-terrorism efforts in accordance with international law.

Third, adherence to international law. She affirmed that all counter-terrorism measures must be based on international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law, and international refugee law, stressing that respecting these standards “is not merely a legal obligation, but also a practical necessity that forms the basis for the effectiveness and legitimacy of our collective efforts.” And its sustainability.”

Supporting Victims and Strengthening International Action
Ahead of the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism – observed on 21 August and themed this year “Healing Through Remembrance” – Ms. Niyazberdiyeva paid tribute to victims and survivors of terrorism around the world.

“Their courage and resilience remind us of the devastating human cost of terrorism and our collective responsibility towards those whose lives have been forever altered by terrorist violence,” she said.

She announced that the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism would organize a high-level event to mark the occasion, featuring testimonies from victims and survivors, messages from senior UN officials, and a global minute of silence.

Exploiting Artificial Intelligence and Digital Platforms

Carmen Cantor, Deputy Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, said that the terrorist landscape is rapidly evolving due to new technologies. She explained that terrorist groups continue to exploit social media platforms, encrypted messaging applications, online gaming platforms, and artificial intelligence tools to spread propaganda, recruit supporters, raise funds, and enhance their operational capabilities. 

She added, in her address to the Security Council, that propaganda is no longer limited to influencing public discourse, but has become an operational tool that helps terrorist organizations recruit, mobilize resources, and expand their activities across borders. Digital platforms are also used to facilitate financing, money transfers, and the procurement of resources.

Carmen Cantor noted the continued existence of gaps in addressing the growing links between terrorism and organized crime, emphasizing that this overlap poses an increasing challenge to counter-terrorism efforts. She highlighted two trends of growing concern:

The first is the increasing use and arming of drones for terrorist purposes, particularly in parts of Africa. The Directorate is working with the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and other partners to strengthen countries' capacities in risk assessment, prevent terrorists from accessing these systems and their components, and support national frameworks to counter their misuse, based on the guidelines adopted by the Counter-Terrorism Committee in Abu Dhabi.

The second is the growing use of drones and their weaponization for terrorist purposes, particularly in parts of Africa. The second trend involves the need to enhance information sharing, protect vital maritime infrastructure, and integrate maritime security into counter-terrorism frameworks. This includes expanding the use of passenger data, strengthening connectivity with international databases, and intensifying cooperation to monitor and disrupt terrorist movements.

Carmen Cantor emphasized that local contexts remain a key factor in shaping the nature of the threat. She noted that a report issued by the Directorate in April on civil society perspectives in West Africa showed that terrorist organizations exploit weak governance, porous border controls, and the misuse of modern technologies, including artificial intelligence, drones, and social media.

She stressed that the threat posed by ISIS has not diminished but has become more dispersed and adaptable. She emphasized that relying solely on security measures or focusing on a single region will not be sufficient to counter it. She stated that confronting this threat requires sustained international cooperation and a comprehensive approach that integrates security, legal, preventive, and developmental aspects.