U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a November terror threat snapshot that the growing threat of ISIS’ messaging continues to resonate in America, while the terror group targets the West at an alarming rate.
So far this year, 34 people have been arrested in 18 states for plotting to attack, lying to authorities, weapons charges and more, according to the report. The snapshot serves as the committee’s assessment of the terror threat America and its allies face from ISIS and other terror groups.
“ISIS operatives may be retreating in parts of Syria and Iraq, but their terror movement is nowhere near broken,” McCaul said. “Indeed, the group continues to plot aggressively against America and our allies.”
“As jihadists flee from places like Mosul and Raqqa, we must keep them from establishing new safe havens and stop them from returning to the West where they hope to conduct fresh waves of attacks,” McCaul said. “We also cannot lose sight of Islamist militant groups like al Qaeda, which continue to threaten the American people.”
The report also said that ISIS and al Qaeda continue to take advantage of safe havens to consolidate power and territory. In addition, the committee found that former Guantanamo Bay detainees have returned to connect with jihadist organizations after their release from the U.S. military prison.