The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has warned of increasing attacks claimed by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, which are currently at pace to double that of 2023..Attack Trends.In a statement, CENTCOM reported that "From January to June 2024, ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria," adding that "The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability." In 2023, ISIS claimed a total of 253 attacks in Iraq and Syria..Global claimed attacks by the terror group saw a 53 percent drop when compared to the previous year, with claimed attacks decreasing by over 60 percent in Iraq and Syria. The only area to see an increased number of attacks claimed by ISIS in 2023 was in the Philippines, where Islamic State – East Asia (ISEA) claimed a total of 20 attacks, up from 7 in 2022 (a 214 percent increase)..Despite the decrease in attacks, ISIS remained the deadliest terror group in the world, according to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index..Counter Terrorism Operations.CENTCOM also reported that Coalition, Iraqi, and Kurdish forces "conducted 196 Defeat ISIS Missions resulting in 44 ISIS operatives killed and 166 detained in the first half of 2024.".In Iraq, 137 partnered operations resulted in 30 ISIS operatives killed and 74 ISIS operatives detained.In Syria, 59 operations conducted alongside the SDF and other partners resulted in 14 ISIS operatives killed and 92 ISIS operatives detained.."The above operations resulted in eight senior ISIS leaders killed and 32 captured in both Iraq and Syria. These leaders include those responsible for the planning of operations outside of Syria and Iraq, recruiting, training, and weapons smuggling. The removal of these individuals from their leadership positions further degrades ISIS capabilities to conduct external operations in the US and allied nations," CENTCOM added..Likewise, CENTCOM stated that there are ongoing "repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration" efforts for more than 43,000 individuals and families from the Al Hol and Al Roj detention camps in Syria, which continue to be a point of concern for potential jailbreaks or attacks..Path Forward."The global enduring defeat of ISIS relies on the combined efforts of the Coalition and partners to remove key leaders from the battlefield and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of families from Al Hol and Al Roj," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command..He added that "We continue to focus our efforts on specifically targeting those members of ISIS who are seeking to conduct external operations outside of Iraq and Syria and those ISIS members attempting to break out ISIS members in detention in an attempt to reconstitute their forces."
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has warned of increasing attacks claimed by Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria, which are currently at pace to double that of 2023..Attack Trends.In a statement, CENTCOM reported that "From January to June 2024, ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria," adding that "The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability." In 2023, ISIS claimed a total of 253 attacks in Iraq and Syria..Global claimed attacks by the terror group saw a 53 percent drop when compared to the previous year, with claimed attacks decreasing by over 60 percent in Iraq and Syria. The only area to see an increased number of attacks claimed by ISIS in 2023 was in the Philippines, where Islamic State – East Asia (ISEA) claimed a total of 20 attacks, up from 7 in 2022 (a 214 percent increase)..Despite the decrease in attacks, ISIS remained the deadliest terror group in the world, according to the 2024 Global Terrorism Index..Counter Terrorism Operations.CENTCOM also reported that Coalition, Iraqi, and Kurdish forces "conducted 196 Defeat ISIS Missions resulting in 44 ISIS operatives killed and 166 detained in the first half of 2024.".In Iraq, 137 partnered operations resulted in 30 ISIS operatives killed and 74 ISIS operatives detained.In Syria, 59 operations conducted alongside the SDF and other partners resulted in 14 ISIS operatives killed and 92 ISIS operatives detained.."The above operations resulted in eight senior ISIS leaders killed and 32 captured in both Iraq and Syria. These leaders include those responsible for the planning of operations outside of Syria and Iraq, recruiting, training, and weapons smuggling. The removal of these individuals from their leadership positions further degrades ISIS capabilities to conduct external operations in the US and allied nations," CENTCOM added..Likewise, CENTCOM stated that there are ongoing "repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration" efforts for more than 43,000 individuals and families from the Al Hol and Al Roj detention camps in Syria, which continue to be a point of concern for potential jailbreaks or attacks..Path Forward."The global enduring defeat of ISIS relies on the combined efforts of the Coalition and partners to remove key leaders from the battlefield and the repatriation, rehabilitation, and reintegration of families from Al Hol and Al Roj," said Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, commander of US Central Command..He added that "We continue to focus our efforts on specifically targeting those members of ISIS who are seeking to conduct external operations outside of Iraq and Syria and those ISIS members attempting to break out ISIS members in detention in an attempt to reconstitute their forces."
