Iraq and Syria face a new threat - — "Islamic State" is actively trying to restore its presence, taking advantage of the chaos after the fall of the Bashar Assad regime, more than 20 sources, including security representatives in both countries, US and European officials, and diplomats, quoted by "Reuters", reported.
According to them, the group is resuming its activity by reactivating fighters ("sleeper cells"), distributing weapons and intensifying propaganda campaigns and recruitment. But its successes so far have been limited - security forces have foiled at least a dozen large-scale plots this year.
A case in point is an incident in December when the "Islamic State" sent two emissaries from Raqqa to Iraq with verbal orders for terrorist attacks. They were detained at a checkpoint on December 2, and a terrorist attack on a restaurant in Dakuk was later thwarted.
Another worrying sign comes from the recent bombings in southern Syria in May - two attacks on pilots from the new government and US-backed forces, which show that the "Islamic State" is ready to take a remote approach - from desert areas to urban centers.
However, the number of actual operations remains significantly lower than last year. In the months of January-May 2025 The group claimed responsibility for 38 attacks in Syria and only four in Iraq — a significant drop from the previous year.
Meanwhile, the international coalition and local services continue preventive operations, including airstrikes and raids, and intelligence and drones are increasing the effectiveness of actions against "sleeper cells".
While the current risk of a revival to the levels of 2014-2017 seems unlikely, officials urge not to underestimate the group. They highlight the possibility of foreign fighters joining its activities, especially against the backdrop of the US withdrawal from the region and the limited resources of the Syrian government.
The collapse of the Assad regime has left a vacuum that "Islamic State" is already trying to fill. Authorities, including Syria's new President Ahmed Sharaa and Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Sudani, together with international partners, must demonstrate determination to maintain stability to prevent the resurgence of extremism.