ISIL remains the most likely to carry out a large-scale terrorist attack - Security Council Briefing

A UN counter-terrorism expert said of all international terrorist organizations, ISIL remained “the most likely to carry out a large-scale, complex attack.”
Addressing the Security Council today (11 Feb), Michèle Coninsx, Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, said despite ISIL’s dwindling territorial control, many challenges remain in tackling the group. She said ISIL, also known as Da’esh, has been forced to adapt into a covert and more locally-focused network in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere, but remained determined to “undermine stabilization efforts, and to fuel sectarian tensions.”
Coninsx said ISIL’s destructive legacy remained in Syria and Iraq, manifested in the millions of displaced persons and immense destruction left behind. She said she witnessed the harrowing devastation first-hand during her visit to Iraq last year. She added, “It was apparent that reconstruction would take many years and would require significant resources, as well as restoring and reconciling communities after so many years of conflict. It will require a comprehensive criminal justice that abides by the rule of law, and it will only succeed through the continued commitment and involvement of local, national, regional, and international actors.”
Coninsx noted another challenge facing the international community was the growing number of terrorist suspects and offenders in countries around the world, including returning foreign terrorist fighters. She said it was vital that countries continuously monitor the effectiveness of their prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies which must include appropriate protection of international human rights, taking into consideration age and gender sensitivities.
The Executive Director also noted that ISIL and its affiliates have consistently demonstrated their intent and ability to exploit new technologies and seek innovative ways to circumvent obstacles to its financial, technical and recruitment capabilities.
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Remarks by Michele Coninsx ,Executive Director of the Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate, on the threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat during the 8460th meeting of the Security Council.