China News Service United Nations, February 9 -- Vladimir Voronkov, deputy secretary-general for counter-terrorism affairs of the United Nations, said in the Security Council on the 9th that the fight against the extremist organization "Islamic State" and its affiliated organizations is still a long-term struggle, and there is no "quick solution".
On the same day, the Security Council held an open meeting on "Terrorist Acts Threatening International Peace and Security", at which Voronkov briefed on the relevant situation of the fight against the "Islamic State". He said the threat of the Islamic State remained in Syria and Iraq. The group still has about 6,000 to 10,000 militants in both countries, carrying out attacks in guerrilla warfare, ambushes and roadside bombs. Syria has also recently seen attempts by imprisoned Islamic State militants to escape from prison, causing widespread conflict and humanitarian crisis on the ground.
Voronkov said that despite the recent death of Islamic State leader Abu Ibrahim Hashemi Kuleshi in U.S. military operations, the Ability of islamic State to recover from major defeats has been strong. He stressed that the fight against terrorism was a long-term struggle that required both military action and more comprehensive measures with a focus on prevention, including rebuilding social trust and restoring a dignified life for the human person.
Woronkov said there are thousands of people in refugee camps and detention facilities across Syria and Iraq, including children who may be related to Members of the Islamic State. These people are at risk of further extremism and recruitment by extremist groups. He welcomed the measures taken by the Countries concerned to repatriate foreign combatants, noting that they still needed to be strengthened and that repatriated persons should be ensured to be protected and able to reintegration into society upon rehabilitation.
Voronkov also reported on the expansion of the Islamic State and its affiliates outside Syria and Iraq. The current focus of the organization's activities may be on the African continent, and the scale and speed of expansion are disturbing. Terrorist activities have intensified in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, as have attacks in the border areas of Mozambique and Tanzania.
Voronkov pointed out that the potential "spillover effect" of the Islamic State could spread beyond the African continent. He urged countries to use all the tools at their disposal to sustain the important gains in the fight against islamic state, prevent its further regional expansion, curb its attack capabilities and prevent it from recruiting more. (End)
Source: China News Network
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