Security Council - Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) - ISIL

Despite being under continuous military pressure, ISIL remains an active and transnational threat, according to new report from the UN Secretary-General

BMUSONI — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 16:13:00 +0000

usg_feltman_second_sg_report_isil_8_june_2016.jpg

Since January 2016, the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, or Da’esh) has remained under continuous military pressure and experienced several setbacks in the Syrian Republic and in Iraq. The number of ISIL fighters is estimated to have diminished to between 12,000 and 20,000. It is nevertheless critical for Member States to remain vigilant, as the active and increasingly transnational threat that this and other terrorist groups represent continues to severely undermine international peace and security. These are among the key points from the Secretary-General’s 5^th report 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.

Published on 31 May 2017, the report (S/2017/467) 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 United Nations.

“In Europe, ISIL has used its online presence to encourage supporters to mount attacks in their countries of residence. This has led to multiple attacks, including in Belgium, France, Germany, the Russian Federation, Sweden, Turkey, and the United Kingdom. Some attacks were carried out by foreign terrorist fighter returnees, while others were conducted by individuals who had not travelled to conflict zones. Despite being sometimes labelled as ‘lone actors,’ investigations demonstrate that the perpetrators often received support or resources from facilitators and, in a number of cases, were in direct contact with ISIL enablers,” noted Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman during his briefing to the Security Council on 8 June 2017.

ISIL is at a critical moment in terms of its financial situation, according to the report. The group has suffered a reversal of fortune over the last 16 months. Most of the group’s funding comes from taxes and coercive extraction from agricultural or commercial activity. In addition, ISIL has drawn income from antiquities smuggling, sale of electricity, exploitation of mineral resources, external donations, kidnapping for ransom, and human trafficking. The Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Sexual Violence in Conflict has documented instances of the selling, gifting, and trading of women and children among fighters as another source of income.

The report highlights the importance of effective monitoring of terrorist exploitation of information and communications technology, as well as the benefits of developing prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies for returning foreign terrorist fighters in accordance with Security Council resolution 2178 (2014).

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 United Nations actors and international organizations.

Front Page Article:

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

feltman_sc_7_february_2017.jpg

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 United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations.

“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.

Front Page Article:

Joint special meeting on terrorist financing assesses risks and identifies way forward

BMUSONI — Wed, 14 Dec 2016 10:18:00 +0000

img_6409_cropped.jpg

A growing number of United Nations Member States are assessing specific terrorist financing risks and the vulnerability of their financial and economic sectors to terrorist financing. Also Member States that are not at high risk in terms of terrorism more broadly may still present a risk regarding the financing of terrorism. While terrorist entities and individuals are still relying on traditional forms of terrorist financing such as cash or money remitters, these groups are also utilizing the Internet and other forms of information and communication technologies to access, raise, and move funds.

These were some of the key themes raised in a joint special meeting of the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee, the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, together with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), organized at the United Nations on 12 and 13 December 2016. Several tools already exist to counter terrorist financing, such as asset freezing requirements or information sharing mechanisms. The main challenge consists of implementing these tools effectively. The joint special meeting – held under the mandate of Security Council resolution 2253 (2015) on efforts to suppress terrorist financing, which expanded the sanctions framework to include ISIL (Da’esh) – provided an important forum for Member States and other actors to share practices and lessons learned that can guide the way forward in this area.

Documents

Draft concept note and agenda

Logistical note

Statements

Message by the Secretary-General to Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned” (New York, 12 December 2016)

Closing remarks by Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned” (New York, 13 December 2016)

Opening remarks by Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee to Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), on “Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned” (New York, 12 December 2016)

Statement by FATF President Juan Manuel Vega-Serrano, 12 December 2016 — Download here

Statement by Dmitry V. Feoktistov, Deputy Director of the Department on New Challenges and Threats of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation

Media

Press release

Joint special meeting of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da’esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee, with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF): Depriving terrorist groups from accessing, raising, and moving funds: Practices and lessons learned (13 December 2016: Sessions V and VI)

Presentation slides

2016-12-12-Session II 1130-1300 Andrey Seleznev EAG

2016-12-12-Session II 1130-1300 Philippe de Koster CTIF-FI

2016-12-12-Session-II-1130-1300-Sofia-Aisagaliyeva-Ministry-of-Finance-Kazakhstan

2016-12-12-Session III 1500-1630 Claudine Lamond AUSTRAC

2016-12-12-Session III 1500-1630 Kallina Simeonoff European Commission

2016-12-12-Session-IV-1630-1800-Israa-Abu-Shwimeh-Jordan

2016-12-12-Session IV 1630-1800 Stephane Sirard FINTRAC

2016-12-13-Session V 1000-1130 Amr Farouk EMLCU Egypt

2016-12-13-Session V 1000-1130 Giuseppina Daria Pellicano’ TFS Italy

2016-12-13-Session VI 1130-1300 Michelle Russell UK Charity Comission

2016-12-13-Session-VII-1500-1630-Francis-Usani-Nigeria

2016-12-13-Session VIII 1630-1750 Claudine Lamond, AUSTRAC

2016-12-13-Session VIII 1630-1750 Kallina Simeonoff, European Commission

Front Page Article:

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

698821-sc-pm-13_10_2016-16.04.09.jpg

“The threat posed by ISIL continues to be significant and to diversify,” according to the United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations 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 United Nations actors.

The Secretary-General’s reports are an important tool for Member States and United Nations 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.

Front Page Article:

Second report by the Secretary-General to the Security Council stresses that threat posed by ISIL remains high

BMUSONI — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 14:07:00 +0000

sc_chamber_second_sg_report_isil_8_june_2016.jpg

Wide view of the Chamber. Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts Report of the Secretary-General on the threat posed by ISIL (DaÕesh) to international peace and security and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2016/501)

On 8 June 2016, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman briefed the Security Council on the United Nations Secretary-General’s second report on The threat posed by ISIL (Da’esh) to international peace and security, Member States’ efforts to implement counter measures, and the range of United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat. The report (S/2016/501) was submitted as a direct 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 United Nations.

According to the report – which was prepared with input by the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), in close collaboration with the Monitoring Team, as well as other relevant United Nations actors – the threat posed by ISIL and its associates remains high and continues to diversify. The terrorist organization’s military setbacks in Iraq and the Syrian Arab Republic may have triggered it to move into a new phase, elevating the role of its affiliates, trying to transfer funds outside the current zones of conflict, and increasing the risk of complex, multi-wave, international attacks.

Full remarks are available here.

The webcast of the meeting can be accessed here.

Front Page Article:

Report of the Secretary-General 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

BMUSONI — Fri, 03 Jun 2016 18:11:00 +0000

s-2016-501.jpg

AR CH EN FR RU ES

Front Page Article:

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

jeffrey-feltman.jpg

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 United Nations efforts in support of Member States in countering the threat (S/2016/92) (7618th meeting).

Front Page Article: