An American report revealed that ISIS is taking advantage of the crisis of the spread of the Coronavirus, and is working to regroup in many countries, including Libya and Tunisia.
The report, published by the American newspaper “USA Today” and signed by Vice President of the American Council for Foreign Policy and expert on terrorist groups, Ilan Berman, warned “against turning the back on the terrorist threat, which has returned significantly in recent months.”
The report highlights some of the factors that contribute to the resurgence of the terrorist organization: “In places like Tunisia, Egypt and Libya, high unemployment rates, exacerbating poverty and widespread inflation pave the way for major internal unrest, which fuels the potential for extremism (for some).
All this means that these countries, and the international community as a whole, could face an escalation of extremism driven by the Coronavirus in the near future, ”according to what was reported by“ Aswat Magharebia” (Maghreb Voices) website.
The report on the threat of ISIS stated: “There was an undeniable feeling during the past year that we (the United States) had turned the page on the war on terror, which gave us the opportunity to focus on other priorities, such as the strategic competition with China.”
The American expert added in the report: “I have witnessed new signs that show that this terrorist organization is still alive, and even poses a threat, the increase in attacks by ISIS-affiliated elements in Iraq and subversive activities in the Syrian areas that are formally under the control of the Syrian regime.”
He added that there are more than ten thousand ISIS fighters in Iraq and Syria, and that various regional branches are now spread all over the world, including the West Africa state affiliated to him, which has now attracted about 3,500 militants.
The American expert on terrorist groups renewed his warning: “The organization is trying to exploit the Coronavirus pandemic by intensifying recruitment efforts via the Internet, taking advantage of people stranded in their homes as a result of the procedures of closure and health isolation.”
