• Terrorism. Hamza died, son and potential heir of Bin Laden

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03 August 2019 "The current decrease" in the terrorist attacks in the world "may not last long, perhaps even until the end of the year". It is the alarm raised in a report by UN Security Council terrorism experts, according to which there could be new attacks "inspired by IS, possibly in unexpected places". In this context, the threat to Europe "remains high".

In the report, the experts of the Glass Palace depict a rather worrying scenario of Islamist movements on a global level, which continue to represent a significant threat, and stress in particular that about 30,000 fighters who had joined the 'caliphate' are still alive.

"Their future prospects are worrying internationally in the short term. Some - reads the document dated 15 July and which is based on information provided by intelligence agencies of the various UN member countries - could join Al Qaeda or others could emerge international brands. Some may become leaders or engage in radicalization ".

The report again underlines how there is agreement that, although the caliphate of the Islamic State no longer exists at the geographical level, the factors that led to its birth have not disappeared, which makes its threat or that of Al Qaeda still current. Also for this reason, although since 2015/2016 there have been fewer bloody attacks, the threat in Europe "remains high".

A major element of concern is the radicalization in prison of "prisoners who are victims of marginalization, frustration, poverty, low self-esteem and violence", in addition to the imminent release of the first wave of foreign fighters arrested after their return from the caliphate. According to the report, "deradicalization programs have not proved fully effective ... The toughest fighters condemned to longer sentences are not yet close to release, they still remain dangerous and continue to pose a threat both inside and outside external of the penal system ".

According to European countries, about 6 thousand of their citizens went to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside ISIs or other terrorist groups. About a third were killed, while another third is in the region or has moved, about two thousand have returned to Europe.

The report then reveals that IS still has access to funds ranging from 50 to 300 million dollars, what remains of the revenue of the caliphate in recent years, while it continues to use propaganda to maintain its reputation as the main terrorist brand of the world, the so-called 'virtual caliphate'.

"When it has the time and space to reinvest in external operational capabilities - the report warns - IS will order and facilitate international attacks, in addition to those inspired by IS, which will continue to occur in many places around the world. however, these attacks may not last long, perhaps even until the end of 2019 ".

The document, finally, preceding the news released by American sources three days ago of the death of Hamza bin Laden, indicated as a potential leader of al Qaeda, underlines that the group founded by Osama remains 'resilient', but then underlines the poor health conditions of the current chief Ayman al-Zawahiri.