Although terrorist groups like ISIS have al-Qaeda have recently been plotting small-scale attacks, intelligence indicates that terrorists want to bring down an aircraft and create a “big explosion” on the scale of 9/11, according to a threat assessment released on Tuesday.
The House Homeland Security Committee’s “Terror Threat Snapshot” assessment for November also highlights the U.S.-led coalition’s progress in reclaiming safe havens in Iraq and Syria. However, that has led to as many as 5,000 foreign fighters returning to their home countries as deadly, hardened terrorists.
“The defeat of ISIS by U.S.-backed coalition forces in Raqqa, its once self-declared capital, represents a significant milestone in disrupting ISIS operations in the region,” U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX), the chairman of the committee, said. “…We also have to be concerned about hardened ISIS foreign fighters returning to their countries of origin equipped with the skills to radicalize and train would-be terrorists at home. We must remain vigilant and support military, intelligence, and law enforcement efforts to counter ISIS’ ongoing plans to inspire and conduct terror attacks around the world.”
An attack carried out in New York City on Oct. 31 by Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov is also outlined in the threat assessment. The Uzbekistan native killed 8 people and wounded 13 with a rented truck after declaring loyalty to ISIS.
McCaul said that the recent victory in Raqqa marks a “significant turning point” in the fight against radical Islamist terror, but he added that “the cowardly attack in New York City demonstrates the effectiveness of ISIS’ ability to spread its twisted ideology online.”
In response, the United States has enhanced intelligence operations abroad. Airstrikes in Afghanistan have also been ramped up to “more proactively target” terrorists, the threat assessment states.
“The threat is still severe. The terrorist organizations, be it ISIS or al-Qaeda or others, want to have the big explosion like they did on 9/11,” Elaine Duke, the acting director of homeland security, said. “They want to take down aircraft, the intelligence is clear on that. They are using small plots, and they are happy to have the small plots. Creating terror is their goal. A bladed weapon attack causes terror and continues to disrupt the world, but that does not mean they have given up on a major aviation plot.”