As the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) continues to lose territory, they have begun calling for more attacks on the West, resulting in a coordinated attack in Spain last month, according to September’s terror threat “snapshot” released by the House Homeland Security Committee.
Each month, the committee releases a report detailing the threat America, its allies, and the West faces against extremist groups including ISIS, al Qaeda, and al Shabaab.
“The attack last month in Barcelona further highlights the increasingly dangerous threat that Islamist terror presents to the West,” House Homeland Security Committee Chairman U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) said. “…With the so-called ‘caliphate’ deteriorating, we must ensure that America and our allies are prepared to aggressively confront this evolving threat.”
According to the report, Western-born foreign fighters who have traveled to ISIS-controlled areas continue to be a concern to the committee as many begin returning home from their training. In certain instances, countries have responded by stripping known foreign fighters of their citizenship while others have frozen known militant assets.
Cases of Islamist extremism also continue to pose an issue throughout Europe. Specifically, a total of 105 ISIS attacks, arrests and plots throughout 16 countries on the continent, with the most highly-impacted countries being France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Recent coordinated counterterrorism efforts have proved to be successful, resulting in the elimination of senior leadership members of ISIS, Boko Haram, and al Shabaab.
“Now more than ever, we must be vigilant so we can best protect our homeland from those attempting to sneak in or those already radicalized at home,” McCaul said.