Most of the focus during the House Homeland Security Committee hearing was domestic but there are some interesting nuggets in the written testimony from #NCTC Dir Miller about #ISIS #alQaida
https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1306595107429253120
On #ISIS, #NCTC's Miller assesses despite US successes, "ISIS has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to rebound from severe losses over the past 6 years by relying on a dedicated cadre of veteran mid-level commanders, extensive clandestine networks, & downturns in CT pressure"
#ISIS " has conducted a steady rate of assassinations, & IED & mortar attacks in mostly rural parts of northern & central #Iraq & eastern #Syria" per #NCTC Dir Miller's written testimony
"#ISIS is also working to release thousands of terror group members and their families currently detained in prisons and living in camps in northeastern #Syria, where our foreign partners face growing security & humanitarian challenges" per #NCTC's Miller
Outside #Syria #Iraq, #ISIS "now encompasses approximately 20 branches & networks" per #NCTC's Miller, cautioning "Individually, these ISIS branches and networks have made uneven progress in advancing the group’s agenda"
"#ISIS-inspired attacks in the West have declined significantly since 2015 in part because authorities around the world continue to detain local ISIS adherents some of whom were planning terrorist attacks or attempting to join the group" per #NCTC's Miller
#alQaida's global network "still poses a significant threat to US & allied interests" per written testimony from #NCTC's Miller...
NEW: #NCTC assesses #laQida still getting help from #Iran
"Several of the group’s remaining senior leaders continue to find safe haven in Iran, & will likely play a key role in the group’s efforts to reconstitute its leadership" per Miller's written statement
"Several of the group’s remaining senior leaders continue to find safe haven in Iran, & will likely play a key role in the group’s efforts to reconstitute its leadership" per Miller's written statement
NEW: US assesses #alQaida core in #Afghanistan "has been reduced to a few dozen fighters who are primarily focused on their survival, & are probably incapable of conducting attacks outside the country under sustained CT pressure" per #NCTC's Miller
h/t @SeamusHughes
h/t @SeamusHughes
That would seem to suggest even fewer remaining #alQaida fighters than the "fewer than 200' that @SecPompeo mentioned earlier this week
https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1305910752465874959?s=20
It is also a significantly lower estimate of #alQada core fighters in #Afghanistan than what the @UN reported this past July based on member state intelligence
The UN put the number of AQ core fighters at 400-600
The UN put the number of AQ core fighters at 400-600
https://twitter.com/jseldin/status/1288141043238608904?s=20
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