Terrorists Now Adapt To New Technologies, Expand Across Africa — UN Official

Two decades after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New
York, terror networks – Al-Qaida and Islamic State – continue to
pose a grave threat to peace and security globally, a top UN
counter-terrorism expert has said.

UN counter-terrorism chief, Vladimir Voronkov, told the Security
Council on Thursday at UN headquarters, New York, that terrorist
groups had been adapting to new technologies and moving into some
of the world’s most fragile regions.

He briefed the Council on the eve of the fourth commemoration of
the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims
of Terrorism, observed annually on Aug. 21.

Voronkov, while presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report
on the threats posed by terrorist groups, said Al-Qaida and Islamic
State, also known as Da’esh, had continued to exploit the pandemic
to use technology to regroup.

He said Da’esh continued to exploit the disruption, grievances
and development setbacks caused by the pandemic to regroup, recruit
new followers and intensify its activities both online and on the
ground.

“Today, we face transnational terrorist threats like Da’esh and
Al-Qaida that are enduring and able to adapt to new
technologies.

“But also expanding to include individuals and groups that
commit terrorist attacks connected to xenophobia, racism and other
forms of intolerance,”Voronkov said.

The UN counter-terrorism architecture, largely set up in the
wake of the 9/11 attack, helps member states implement effective
frameworks to prevent, address, investigate and prosecute acts of
terrorism.

It is also ramping up efforts to help countries adapt to the
rapidly changing nature of the threat, which has become more
digital and de-centralised in recent years.

He noted that the world was currently witnessing a rapidly
evolving situation in Afghanistan “which could have far-reaching
implications” around the globe.

He cited Da’esh’s expanded presence in that country and pointed
out that several members of the Taliban had been designated as
terrorists by the Security Council.

“We will need to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used as
launching pad for global terrorism,” the UN official said.

While Da’esh remains focused on reconstituting its capabilities
in Iraq and Syria, Vornkov said the most alarming development in
recent months is the group’s relentless spread across the African
continent.

The so-called “Islamic State in the Greater Sahara” has killed
several hundred civilians since the start of 2021 in Mali, Burkina
Faso and Niger.

The group’s “West Africa Province” will likely gain from the
weakening of Boko Haram, with additional spillover of terrorists
and foreign fighters from Libya.

Meanwhile, the expansion of Da’esh in Central Africa and
especially in northern Mozambique could have far-reaching
implications for peace and security in the region.

“A global response is urgently needed to support the efforts of
African countries and regional organisations to counter terrorism
and address its interplay with conflict, organised crime,
governance and development gaps,” Voronkov said.

Alongside Da’esh’s expansion in Africa and its rapid shift
online, Voronkov also cited the continued detention of thousands of
individuals with alleged links to terrorist groups as another
factor exacerbating the threat.

Deteriorating conditions in detention facilities and
displacement camps in northeast Syria, in particular, are serving
as a rallying cry for terrorist activities.

They have already fuelled instances of terrorist radicalisation,
fund-raising, arms smuggling, training and incitement to
terror.

Against that backdrop, he echoed calls from officials across the
UN for member states to voluntarily repatriate all concerned
individuals, with a particular focus on children.(NAN)

Two decades after the September 11 terrorist attacks in New
York, terror networks – Al-Qaida and Islamic State – continue to
pose a grave threat to peace and security globally, a top UN
counter-terrorism expert has said.

UN counter-terrorism chief, Vladimir Voronkov, told the Security
Council on Thursday at UN headquarters, New York, that terrorist
groups had been adapting to new technologies and moving into some
of the world’s most fragile regions.

He briefed the Council on the eve of the fourth commemoration of
the International Day of Remembrance of and Tribute to the Victims
of Terrorism, observed annually on Aug. 21.

Voronkov, while presenting the Secretary-General’s latest report
on the threats posed by terrorist groups, said Al-Qaida and Islamic
State, also known as Da’esh, had continued to exploit the pandemic
to use technology to regroup.

He said Da’esh continued to exploit the disruption, grievances
and development setbacks caused by the pandemic to regroup, recruit
new followers and intensify its activities both online and on the
ground.

“Today, we face transnational terrorist threats like Da’esh and
Al-Qaida that are enduring and able to adapt to new
technologies.

“But also expanding to include individuals and groups that
commit terrorist attacks connected to xenophobia, racism and other
forms of intolerance,”Voronkov said.

The UN counter-terrorism architecture, largely set up in the
wake of the 9/11 attack, helps member states implement effective
frameworks to prevent, address, investigate and prosecute acts of
terrorism.

It is also ramping up efforts to help countries adapt to the
rapidly changing nature of the threat, which has become more
digital and de-centralised in recent years.

He noted that the world was currently witnessing a rapidly
evolving situation in Afghanistan “which could have far-reaching
implications” around the globe.

He cited Da’esh’s expanded presence in that country and pointed
out that several members of the Taliban had been designated as
terrorists by the Security Council.

“We will need to ensure that Afghanistan is never again used as
launching pad for global terrorism,” the UN official said.

While Da’esh remains focused on reconstituting its capabilities
in Iraq and Syria, Vornkov said the most alarming development in
recent months is the group’s relentless spread across the African
continent.

The so-called “Islamic State in the Greater Sahara” has killed
several hundred civilians since the start of 2021 in Mali, Burkina
Faso and Niger.

The group’s “West Africa Province” will likely gain from the
weakening of Boko Haram, with additional spillover of terrorists
and foreign fighters from Libya.

Meanwhile, the expansion of Da’esh in Central Africa and
especially in northern Mozambique could have far-reaching
implications for peace and security in the region.

“A global response is urgently needed to support the efforts of
African countries and regional organisations to counter terrorism
and address its interplay with conflict, organised crime,
governance and development gaps,” Voronkov said.

Alongside Da’esh’s expansion in Africa and its rapid shift
online, Voronkov also cited the continued detention of thousands of
individuals with alleged links to terrorist groups as another
factor exacerbating the threat.

Deteriorating conditions in detention facilities and
displacement camps in northeast Syria, in particular, are serving
as a rallying cry for terrorist activities.

They have already fuelled instances of terrorist radicalisation,
fund-raising, arms smuggling, training and incitement to
terror.

Against that backdrop, he echoed calls from officials across the
UN for member states to voluntarily repatriate all concerned
individuals, with a particular focus on children.(NAN)