The fall of Islamic State's 'caliphate' was seen by many as the moment the world conquered the terrorist group. But experts warn the militants are quietly recovering from their defeat, with grand plans for a resurgence.
"The savage IS caliphate has been 100 per cent destroyed under the Trump administration," US President Donald Trump declared just last month.
Islamic State's resurgence comes as the United States and its partners in the Global Coalition to Defeat IS scale down operations in the country.The killing of Qassem Soleimani inspired reprisal attacks against US forces in Iraq.The coalition recently transferred six bases to Iraqi control, is returning a number of soldiers and staff to home countries and is switching to a central base in Baghdad for advice and coordination activities.
"The strategy that the Islamic State is undertaking at the moment is to become the most important political, military and economic actor in rural areas of Iraq," Mr Knights said. Islamic State also inspires affiliates elsewhere, including little-publicised but serious insurgencies in Nigeria, Egypt and the Philippines.Could IS fighters rescue their families to swell their ranks?
"Officials say they reached this conclusion after perceiving patterns related to the return of these families as well as information from tribal and local forces." A recent military offensive by Turkey against their Kurdish captors, and the withdrawal of aid groups because of coronavirus, have made it more difficult to maintain these centres.
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