What’s next for Islamic State?

So-called Islamic State has been subdued in Iraq and Syria, and its leaders are in hiding, but the jihadist group can continue to inspire “lone-wolf” operations through its affiliates in other countries


1 Iraq, Syria: Out of estimated 40,000 foreigners who joined IS, at least 5,600 had returned home by end of 2017. Only about 3,000 remain in remnants of group’s proto-state

2 Afghanistan: IS attacks on security forces and civilians contributing to instability

3 Egypt: Affiliate active in Sinai, claimed responsibility for 2015 bombing of Russian airliner that killed 224 people

4 Libya: Affiliate tied to attacks in Berlin in 2016 and Manchester in 2017. Attempting
comeback in southern desert after being routed in city of Sirte

5 Philippines: Four IS-allied groups waging insurgency in Mindanao region. Militants seized and held city of Marawi for five months in 2017

6 Sahel: Islamic State in Greater Sahara has attacked security forces in Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali. Suspected of 2017 ambush in Niger which killed four U.S. and four Nigerian soldiers

7 Yemen: Affiliate has attacked both sides fighting civil war 

8 Others: Allied group Boko Haram in Nigeria. Affiliates in Saudi Arabia, Algeria and Russia’s
Caucasus region


6
8
Algeria
8
Nigeria
4
8
Saudi Arabia
3
1
7
8
Russia (Caucasus region)
2
Philippines (Mindanao region)
5


Source: Bloomberg Picture: Newscom © GRAPHIC NEWS