ISIS’ branch in Afghanistan, known as ISIS Khorasan, was dealt a major blow when their leader, Abu Sayed, was killed by a U.S. airstrike on the organization’s headquarters on July 11, according to a recent terror threat “snapshot” for the month of August published by the House Homeland Security Committee.
Each month the committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), releases a snapshot report detailing the growing threat America and its allies are facing from various extremist groups throughout the world.
“Last month the U.S.-led coalition reclaimed control of Mosul from ISIS, representing a significant blow to the terror group that is the greatest threat to the homeland,” McCaul said. “While the American-backed liberation of Mosul is a major victory, the fight is far from over. As ISIS continues to experience battlefield losses in Iraq and Syria, we must stay vigilant in order to keep them from establishing new safe havens and stop them from returning to the West.”
According to the report, 14 homegrown jihadi cases were identified by U.S. law enforcement so far in 2017 and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continues to investigate cases throughout all 50 states.
In a key victory against ISIS, U.S.-backed coalition forces reclaimed Mosul, a major city in northern Iraq, from the extremist group after a three year reign over the area. However, the global terror threat level remains high as the group continues to encourage attacks abroad.
The report also detailed efforts by Australia, who recently created a new ministry dedicated to coordinating anti-terror initiatives between existing agencies. The new agency will have oversight of the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Security Intelligence Organization, and the Australian Border Force.