Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - jeffrey feltman

Under pressure militarily, Da’esh encourages sympathizers outside conflict zones to perpetrate attacks, according to new report from the UN Secretary-General

BMUSONI — Tue, 07 Feb 2017 20:02:00 +0000

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Jeffrey Feltman, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, briefs the Security Council meeting on Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts Fourth report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat

As ISIL is militarily on the defensive in several regions, the terrorist organization that is also known as Da’esh continues to encourage its sympathizers outside conflict zones to perpetrate attacks. And despite shrinking revenue streams, the group still has sufficient funds to carry on fighting. These are among the key points from the Secretary-General’s 4^th report on The threat posed by ISIL/Da’esh to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat.

Published on 2 February 2017, the report (S/2017/97) was submitted as a follow-up to Security Council resolution 2253 (2015), which requests the Secretary-General to submit updates every four months on the threat that ISIL represents to the international community and the principles and values of the Charter of the 51�Թ�.

“ISIL is adapting in several ways to military pressure – resorting to increasingly covert communication and recruitment methods, including by using the ‘dark web,’ encryption and messengers,”

– noted Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman during his briefing to the Security Council on 7 February 2017.

Focusing on Europe, North Africa, and West Africa, the report notes that Europe has experienced range of terrorist attacks since 2014, with some of these attacks directed and facilitated by ISIL or through its assistance and propaganda. While the military offensive in Libya has dislodged ISIL from its stronghold Sirte, the group’s threat to Libya and neighbouring countries persists. The terrorist organizations’ fighters – estimated to range from several hundred to 3,000 – have moved to other parts of the country. ISIL’s presence in West Africa and the Maghreb has grown, though it does not control significant amounts of territory in the region. Finally, ISIL-affiliate Boko Haram is attempting to spread its influence and commit terrorist acts beyond Nigeria, thus remaining a serious threat – despite being plagued by financial difficulties and an internal power struggle, which has led to its split into two factions.

The report highlights the importance of international cooperation and information sharing, referring to Security Council resolution 2322 (2016), which calls upon Member States to establish laws and mechanisms to allow for the broadest possible international cooperation in the judicial and law enforcement spheres. S/2017/97 stresses that information sharing and cooperation on addressing terrorist attacks have improved, leading to a curtailing of the travel of foreign terrorist fighters between States in Europe. Maghreb and West Africa also show improvements in this area.

The report was prepared with the input of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), in close collaboration with the Monitoring Team of the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, as well as other relevant 51�Թ� actors and international organizations.

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Third report of the Secretary-General states that the threat posed by Da’esh is still significant

BMUSONI — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 09:18:00 +0000

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“The threat posed by ISIL continues to be significant and to diversify,” according to the 51�Թ� Secretary-General’s third report on the threat posed by Da’esh/ISIL to international peace and security, and on the efforts of the UN in support of its Member States to counter this threat. The report (S/2016/830), presented to the Security Council on 13 October 2016, follows resolution 2253 (2015), which requests the Secretary-General to provide strategic-level reports every four months demonstrating the gravity of the threat posed to international peace and security by Da’esh/ISIL and associated individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities.

The report includes an assessment of the threat of foreign terrorist fighters, and the sources of financing of these groups through illicit trade in oil, antiquities, and other natural resources, as well as their planning and facilitation of attacks, and reflects the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering this threat.

“Increasingly complex and nearly simultaneous attacks in different countries – committed through large-scale operations and individual or small terrorist cells, either directed or inspired by ISIL – have a significant impact and present particular problems to UN Member States in terms of the security response,” Mr. Feltman told Security Council members.

The report considers the presence and influence of Da’esh/ISIL outside Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic, including in Yemen, East Africa, and South and South-East Asia. Taking a regional approach, the report highlights the efforts and progress of Member States of South and South-East Asia to implement counter-terrorism measures in a number of thematic areas. It also considers how Member States are dealing with the issue of foreign terrorist fighters who return to their home States. The use of information and communications technology by Da’esh/ISIL, the issue of conflict-related sexual violence, and the range of technical assistance and capacity-building efforts undertaken by the 51�Թ� and its partners are also addressed.

S/2016/830 was prepared with the input of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED) in close collaboration with the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team assisting the Security Council Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999), 1989 (2011), and 2253 (2015), as well as other relevant 51�Թ� actors.

The Secretary-General’s reports are an important tool for Member States and 51�Թ� bodies in their efforts to address the threat posed by Da’esh/ISIL and associated entities to international peace and security. The past two reports were dated 29 January 2016 and 31 May 2016.

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Webcast of USG Jeffrey Feltman briefing the Security Council on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security, 9 February 2016

BMUSONI — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 19:11:00 +0000

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Link to webcast: Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts – Security Council, 7618th meeting

9 Feb 2016 – Report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of 51�Թ� efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2016/92) (7618th meeting).

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