He said the threat posed by ISIL, also known by its Arabic acronym, Da’esh, has “increased steadily” since the previous report issued in August, “remaining multipolar and increasingly complex.”
Instability in West Africa
ISIL and its affiliates have continued to recruit foreign fighters, enhance the use of new and emerging technologies, and maintain access to financing, including through measures such as illegal taxes and kidnapping for ransom.
Terrorists have also continued to expand their presence in some parts of Africa.
“Their efforts and The demonstrated ability to control the territory is deepening regional instability and further weakening the capacity of national authorities. to address the interconnected challenges of security, human rights and development,” he said.
The situation in West Africa and the Sahel remains especially urgent, where ISIL’s affiliate in the Lake Chad Basin region “has further expanded its prominence.”
Attacks in Iraq and Syria
Da’esh also remains active in Iraq and Syria “with continued attacks and renewed efforts to destabilize local authorities.”
Syria is undergoing a political transition following the overthrow of the Assad regime in December 2024. “The security situation remains fragile, with Da’esh Continue to exploit governance gaps and incite sectarian tensions.“, said.
Zouev also highlighted the situation in the northeast of the country, where tens of thousands of people with suspected links to the group – mainly women and children – remain in camps in terrible conditions.
The withdrawal of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces from the notorious Al Hol last month “has also introduced new operational and humanitarian challenges,” he added.
Meanwhile, ISIL-Khorasan in Afghanistan “continues to pose one of the most serious threats to the region and beyond.”
The group was behind the “heinous terrorist attack” in the capital Kabul on January 19, in which seven people were killed and several others injured, including a child.
Use of AI in hiring
Zouev said that advances in the fight against terrorist financing have led Daesh and other groups to further exploit digital platforms and new technologies, with greater use of cryptocurrencies, drones and other tools.
“Artificial Intelligence is increasingly used by terrorist groups, especially for radicalization and recruitment of people.and youth and children are among the deliberate targets,” he said.
Given the growing threat posed by Daesh, the counterterrorism chief highlighted three central calls made by the UN Secretary General in the report.
Women and children walk through the Al Hol camp in Syria, a displacement site that is home to more than 30,000 people.
Action areas
He urged countries to step up efforts to repatriate people from camps and detention centers in northeastern Syria.
As the situation in some parts of Africa – particularly the Sahel, West Africa and the Lake Chad Basin – remains deeply worrying, “Member States must exercise political ownership and forge unified, coherent and joint responses.”
Mr. Zouev highlighted that lasting progress requires comprehensive approaches from both government and society that are firmly rooted in the rule of law and in full compliance with international human rights standards.
Therefore, “inclusive and nationally owned prevention” must remain at the center of international counterterrorism efforts.
“The intensification of the threat posed by Da’esh and its affiliates, despite significant national and international efforts, underscores how imperative it is to maintain global cooperation in the fight against terrorism,” he said.
Technical assistance to countries.
Nathalia Gherman, executive director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), the secretariat of the Council’s own Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC), also briefed the ambassadors.
He said the last six months have shown that “Da’esh continues to perpetrate and inspire terrorist attacks around the world”, with devastating impacts.
The Executive Directorate has carried out evaluation visits to Austria, Cameroon, Chad, Hungary, Malta, Norway and Somalia during the past year.
“We work closely with each Member State we visit to provide personalized recommendations and identify technical assistance needs,” he explained.
UN counter-terrorism efforts ‘critical’
Ms Gherman gave the example of CTED’s support for a project to address the use of the internet, social media and video games by Da’esh and Al Shabaab in Somalia and the wider region.
The initiative brought together 70 representatives of national authorities from Somalia, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, as well as participants from civil society, academia and the private sector.
“United Nations efforts to confront the Daesh threat are essential“, said,
“These efforts require adequate resources and the cooperation of all Member States to achieve our shared goal: a world free of terrorism.”