Al Qaeda threat worse than pre-9/11 levels, terrorism expert explains

Within the 24-year-old since a gaggle of 19 members of the Al Qaida terrorist group, 4 flights stepped in a sequence of assaults on the US who killed 2,977 folks, the infamous community stays the “most harmful terrorist group” on this planet, an skilled warned.

Though terrorist teams resembling ISIS and Hamas have gained huge fame lately due to their brutal ways, Invoice Roggio, skilled analyst and senior editor of Basis for Protection of Protection of Democracies ‘Lengthy Battle Journal’, defined to Fox Information Digital that the specter of Al Qaeda rather more.

“Essentially the most harmful terrorist group 24 years after 9/11 stays Al Qaida,” stated Roggio. “With the assist of the Taliban, the scenario is way worse than it was earlier than 9/11.”

Al Qaeda linked Nusra entrance hunters put on their weapons on the again of a pick-up truck through the launch of Lebanese troopers and law enforcement officials in Arsal, Japanese Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, December 1, 2015. (Stringer/Reuters)

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Roggio defined that Al Qaeda not solely runs coaching camps in no less than 13 of the 34 provinces in Afghanistan, the worldwide actions have solely continued to increase within the center twenty years within the center and Africa.

“The worldwide group stays intact. It in all probability arranges greater than a 3rd of Somalia after which it’s so-called former associate and I’m not satisfied that the ties are damaged now that the federal government of Syria, with the Hayat Tahir Al Sham as a frontrunner.

“President [Donald] Trump even welcomed the acquisition, the expulsion of Bashar Al Assad. This was a mistake, in my estimate, “he added.” It’s a group that’s confirmed to be good to be dedicated. “

Roggio defined that his major care in relation to terrorism is sort of two and a half many years after 9/11 the protected haven they’ve granted, and the sentiment of the general public in direction of the totally different teams.

“Crucial concern I’ve for the specter of terrorism is the rise in protected ports for these teams,” he stated. “Afghanistan-al Qaeda, coaching camps, the Iranians proceed to supply a protected haven, nations like Iraq, the place the Shia militia can work, al-Shabab-al Qaida department in Somalia-Hebben A protected haven within the areas they management.”

Police and army officers comb the scene of an al Qaida linked al-Shabab Group Terror Assault, in Mogadishu, Somalia on 21 August 2022. (Feisal Omar/Reuters)

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“That is true, when terrorist teams have the time, house and security to plot, execute, to lift, to lift cash, they’ll perform an assault resembling 9/11 and so they now have in a number of locations,” Roggio added.

Terrorist teams have more and more gained entry to extra superior weapons by way of state help resembling these of Iran to teams resembling Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis.

However the comfort of entry to technological developments resembling AI and accessible expertise resembling drones has additionally elevated the risk degree that these teams type.

Roggio additionally identified that the teams don’t want entry to high arms or technological progress to trigger actual harm.

“No person thought Field cutters and a few coaching on airways would result in 9/11 and but it occurred,” he stated.

Teams that didn’t exist or have been a “shadow” of themselves earlier than 9/11 and labored on a mobile degree now have “armies around the globe,” Roggio defined.

However he additionally identified that open public assist for teams which have carried out huge atrocities and human rights violations are additionally growing.

“Should you have a look at the perspective in direction of jihadist organizations, have a look at the assist for Hamas at the moment … The rise in anti -Semitism and the lower in assist for Israel – these are all indicators that issues are trending for the jihadist organizations.

“For me these are indications that we’ve misplaced the warfare in opposition to concern,” he added.

Hamas terrorists are a guard on the day of the switch of hostages in Rafah within the Southern Gaza Strip, 22 February 2025. (Hatem Khaled/Reuters/File picture)

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Roggio defined that there’s a lack of “will” to completely deal with why there’s an extremism and the way that may finest stop that, which can’t be performed militarily, however by combating radical ideology.

“We defeated Nazi Germany,” he observed. “It is one thing that may be performed. We had the desire to do it.

“Our hesitation, our unwillingness, our lack of dedication in these nations has inspired them and once more,” stated Roggio. “Till we take away the state sponsorship, till we’re capable of successfully deal with the suppliers of the unconventional ideology, these threats will live on.”