US warns of increased Islamic State attacks in Iraq and Syria compared to 2023

Jul 17. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) warned on Tuesday night of an increase in attacks by the Islamic State terrorist group in Iraq and Syria, a figure that stands at 153 and is on track to double the number of attacks claimed throughout 2023.

“The increase in attacks indicates that ISIS is attempting to rebuild after several years of declining capabilities. To continue the effort to defeat ISIS and prevent its ability to carry out external attacks, U.S. Central Command, along with Iraqi Security Forces and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have conducted 196 missions against ISIS,” CENTCOM said on its X social media account.

These operations have resulted in 44 terrorist deaths (30 in Iraq and 14 in Syria), including eight senior officials, and another 166 arrests (137 in Iraq and 92 in Syria), including 32 leaders, in the first half of this year alone.

“These leaders include those responsible for planning operations outside Syria and Iraq, recruiting, training and weapons smuggling,” CENTCOM added.

The US military has estimated that 2,500 Islamic State fighters are still at large in the two countries, and has reaffirmed its commitment to “specifically target” those members who are attempting to carry out external operations and against those who are “trying to escape” in an attempt to rebuild their former strength.

“The lasting global defeat of ISIS depends on the combined efforts of the Coalition and partners to remove key leaders from the battlefield and the repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration of the Al Hol and Al Roj families,” he added.