ISIS evolved worldwide despite Syria defeat – U.S. State Dept
The global presence of ISIS continued to advance in 2018 through networks and affiliates, the State Department said in its annual terrorism report, even though the Trump administration declared it defeated the jihadi group in Syria and killed its leader last month in a U.S. raid.
Iran has also remained a top state sponsor of terrorism, the report said, and funnelled nearly a billion dollars per year to support its proxies in the region despite Washington having significantly ramped up its sanctions against Tehran.
Terrorism tactics and the use of technologies have also evolved in 2018, while war-hardened fighters from groups such as ISIS returning to their home countries began raising fresh threats, the report said.
“Even as ISIS lost almost all its physical territory, the group proved its ability to adapt, especially through its efforts to inspire or direct followers online,” said Nathan Sales, the U.S. counter-terrorism coordinator, whose office produced the congressionally mandated report.
