Highlights from DIA chief Scott Berrier's worldwide threats testimony to Senate Armed Services Committee on al-Qaeda: armed-services.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/… 1/n
Al-Qaeda is unlikely to direct mass-casualty attacks in the US homeland in 2021 but online communication between AQAP and Pensacola attacker shows the ability of the group to capitalize on opportunities.
Al-Qaeda's appeal to Salafi jihadists has waned due to ISIS, unlikely to change in 2021; Zawahiri remains in hiding (so alive?).
In Afghanistan, al-Qaeda and affiliate AQIS have a marginal role in the Taliban's insurgency; AQIS was weaker than years before due to little discernible activity, has less than 200 fighters; al-Qaeda/AQIS will "bolster its relationship with the Taliban."
In North Africa, AQIM's threat is at its lowest point in a decade; AQIM maintains networks to support JNIM.
In West Africa, terrorist threats continue to expand, JNIM and ISIS continued their attacks, threatened to expand into the coastal countries.
Shabaab poses the "most severe terrorism threat in East Africa"; has 5000 to 10000 fighters and the capability to conduct high-profile attacks in the region, target the US and regional forces. n/n
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.