RASC News Agency: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken issued a stern warning on Monday, cautioning that ISIS may capitalize on the ongoing unrest in the Middle East to widen its sphere of influence. Blinken urged the international community to intensify its collective efforts to maintain security and stability across the region. In his opening remarks at the ministerial meeting of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, he stated, “At this pivotal moment, the Middle East is experiencing significant volatility. We must strengthen our efforts to safeguard security and stability, particularly in Iraq and Syria, to prevent extremist groups like ISIS from exploiting regional conflicts.”
He further noted, “ISIS is intent on rebuilding its stronghold in the Middle East and seeks to extend its reach into parts of Asia and Africa.” Blinken emphasized the urgency of “escalating our initiatives to reinforce security, especially in Iraq and Syria, to block ISIS and other extremist factions from taking advantage of the current instability.” He also reiterated that the United States will maintain its military presence in Syria for as long as necessary to combat ISIS and other terrorist organizations. The U.S.-led Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, established in September 2014 to fight the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria, now boasts 87 member countries and organizations. The coalition’s military mission against ISIS in Iraq is scheduled to conclude by September 2025.
Blinken characterized ISIS activities in Central and South Asia as a “distinct and evolving challenge,” noting that the group’s current capacity to engage is limited, and its threat level remains low. He also pointed to ISIS’s ongoing online recruitment efforts, which have been used to orchestrate attacks worldwide, including in Iran and Russia earlier this year. On March 23, four armed militants attacked the Crocus Concert Hall near Moscow, resulting in the deaths of at least 144 people. ISIS claimed responsibility for the assault.
Additionally, on January 4 last year, ISIS carried out suicide bombings during the commemoration of the fourth anniversary of Qassem Soleimani’s death, the former commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, in Kerman. The attacks led to the deaths of approximately 90 people and wounded around 300 others.
