Terror threat high in Africa conflict zones and Afghanistan, and rose in Europe: UN experts
- New UN report on global terrorist threats assesses activities of al-Qaeda and Isis
- Africa in spotlight as groups seek to exploit ‘a deficit in counterterrorism capabilities’
The terrorist threat from al-Qaeda, Islamic State and their affiliates remains high in conflict zones in Africa and in Afghanistan – and threat levels have risen in some regions including Europe, UN experts said in a new report.
The panel of experts said in the 23-page report that the relationship between Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers and al-Qaeda remains close, and unnamed member states report that “the high concentration of terrorist groups” in the country are undermining the security situation in the region.
The greatest threat within Afghanistan still comes from Isis “with its ability to project into the region and beyond,” the experts said in the report to the UN Security Council covering the period until December 16, 2023 which was circulated Wednesday.
Regionally, they pointed to a succession of attacks in neighbouring Iran and Pakistan and threats in Central Asian nations.
The panel said, however, that while none of the al-Qaeda affiliated groups have recovered the capability to launch long-range operations, “they harbour global ambitions”. And it said “covert and calibrated efforts to rebuild capability” have been reported.