House Terror Snapshot Urges Holiday Vigilance

From In Homeland Security

The House Committee on Homeland Security recently released its monthly Terror Threat Snapshot report. As usual, it paints a picture that should keep every American on his or her guard and vigilant – especially during the holiday season.

The report, compiled each month by U.S. Representative Michael McCaul (R-Texas), is a comprehensive account of the current threat posed to the United States by ISIS-linked groups and other terrorism organizations. The snapshot focuses on recent homegrown Jihadist cases in America – showing at least one homegrown case in 30 states – with 159 total cases since 2013.

The snapshot report’s key points include federal prosecutors announcing that they will seek the death penalty for Sayfullo Saipov who is accused of plowing down people with his vehicle on a New York City bike path in October 2017. That attack killed eight people and injured 11 others and was the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil since Sept. 11, 2001. Saipov’s trial is scheduled to begin a year from now.

Holiday Vigilance

The report also details ISIS-linked plots against the West since 2013 – stating that there were 83 cases where ISIS “used or attempted to build or use explosives.” The report states that there were 22 cases – since 2013 – where ISIS used a vehicle as a deadly weapon.

Rep. McCaul exclusively told In Homeland Security: “As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded that jihadis will continue to target the West. The upcoming two-year anniversary of the Berlin Christmas market attack serves as yet another reminder to Americans that we must remain vigilant, strengthen our security to prevent more people from being radicalized, and do all we can to thwart potential attacks.”

ISIS Drones

One of the overseas arrests highlighted in the snapshot occurred in Denmark where officials arrested two people on Sept. 26 for allegedly buying drones on behalf of ISIS. According to the snapshot, the two intended to send the drones to Syria or Iraq. Another overseas case – on Sept. 3 – involved two boys in Australia who were convicted of pledging allegiance to ISIS. One of the convicted boys was photographed at a 2012 riot – aged 12 at the time – with a sign that read: “behead all who insult the prophet.”

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