ISIS plotting mass casualty attacks? US officials see competition with al-Qaeda

A broken glass window of the Imperiale Marhaba hotel in Sousse, Tunisia, is seen after a gunman linked to ISIS opened fire at the beachside hotel on June 26, 2015. At least 37 people died when the gunman opened fire at the popular tourist hotel. Reuters

The Islamic State may be plotting to launch mass casualty attacks in the US, according to sources in the US intelligence community.

A senior US intelligence official told CNN that this plan would be a departure from the ISIS' current operation of engaging in lone wolf attacks.

Previously, the al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) was viewed as the lone terrorist organisation capable of launching mass casualty attacks, which the group devastatingly showed in the series of four coordinated terrorist attacks in the US on Sept. 11, 2001.

A competition for attention and recruits is happening between ISIS and AQAP, intelligence sources said, noting that last week, AQAP bomb-maker Ibrahim al-Asiri appealed online to supporters to hold lone wolf attacks.

"I think they [ISIS leaders] are taking a lot of the new recruits that don't have time to train, who have not been brought up in their systems, and they're using them to create the type of mass casualty which produces the media attention, which is exactly what they want, that shows they're still powerful," according to CNN military analyst Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling.

Meanwhile, ISIS is being reinforced by the continuing recruitment of foreign fighters. US intelligence sources said the flow of foreign fighters to Syria and Iraq is not diminishing despite the thousands of ISIS fighters believed to have been killed in coalition air strikes. There are still about 20,000 to 30,000 ISIS fighters, the sources said.

President Barack Obama unveiled last month the US four strategies against ISIS, which he calls a "terrorist organisation, pure and simple."

These include a systematic campaign of airstrikes against ISIS in Syria and Iraq. The White House said since last year the US has launched more than 5,000 airstrikes against ISIS.

The US has also increased its support to forces fighting ISIS on the ground by sending a contingent to support Iraqi forces including Kurdish fighters with training, intelligence and equipment.

Obama also said the US is doubling its efforts to cut off ISIS' funding, improve intelligence, counter ISIS' "warped ideology" and stem the flow of foreign fighters into and out of the Middle East.

The US is also providing humanitarian assistance to religious minorities that are being driven out of their countries by ISIS, Obama said.

However, the efforts by the US to train rebels in Syria to fight ISIS is in trouble as half of those who have trained are missing or have been captured during an attack by al Qaeda-affiliate Nusra Front on a rebel site, according to CNN.

A defense official said the Syrian fighters "are no longer a coherent military unit."

related articles
ISIS kidnaps 250 Christians in Syria, thousands more flee
ISIS kidnaps 250 Christians in Syria, thousands more flee

ISIS kidnaps 250 Christians in Syria, thousands more flee

One year on from Islamic State capture, there are no Christians left in Qaraqosh
One year on from Islamic State capture, there are no Christians left in Qaraqosh

One year on from Islamic State capture, there are no Christians left in Qaraqosh

Islamic State \'executed 2,000 Iraqis in Mosul region\'
Islamic State 'executed 2,000 Iraqis in Mosul region'

Islamic State 'executed 2,000 Iraqis in Mosul region'

Christian leaders in Syria can\'t contact flock after ISIS kidnapping spree, takeover of city
Christian leaders in Syria can't contact flock after ISIS kidnapping spree, takeover of city

Christian leaders in Syria can't contact flock after ISIS kidnapping spree, takeover of city

News
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology
How modern science owes its existence to Christian theology

Some people think that you have to choose between science and religion, but that is not the case. This is the story …

US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies
US religious groups challenge new immigrant enforcement policies

A United States Federal Judge has granted an injunction that will prevent immigration agents from carrying out operations in places of worship after a group of religious organisations launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration over new enforcement policies.

Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss
Gyles Brandreth joins campaign to end avoidable sight loss

Gyles Brandreth has thrown his support behind CBM UK’s campaign to end avoidable sight loss.

Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan
Church leaders call for 'rethink' of school closures in Ramadan

“We urge the governors of the affected states to reconsider this decision and explore alternative arrangements that respect the rights and freedoms of all citizens.”