The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said the radical group was
preparing for a “global surge of activities” before and during the
Ramadan, which falls between June 6 and July 5.
“ISIS continued to
pursue its regional campaign objectives of establishing affiliates and
increasing disorder throughout historically Muslim lands,” ISW said in
its April review.
The ISW is a “non-partisan, non-profit, public
policy research organisation” that furthers an understanding of military
affairs through “reliable research, trusted analysis, and innovative
education”.
It is aimed at improving the US’s ability to execute
military operations and respond to emerging threats in order to achieve
strategic objectives.
The ISIS has reportedly been claiming the
responsibility of the killing of secular writers, online activists, and
liberal publishers in Bangladesh since September last year.
The
Bangladesh government, however, denies the presence of the IS or
Al-Quida in the country, claiming that the killings were masterminded by
‘home-grown Islamist radicals’.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on
Thursday also warned people against a ‘conspiracy’ to prove the
‘existence’ of international militant groups in Bangladesh.
“But I
won’t let anyone play the game with the country until I am alive,” she
told the Parliament on the heels of the US Assistant Secretary of State
Nisha Desai Biswal’s comment that Bangladesh-based militants were
gradually establishing links with global terror groups.
Biswal
concluded her Dhaka visit on Thursday after discussing security issues
following the killing of a USAID staff Xulhaz Mannan.
She said the US wanted to work with Bangladesh and expected that “Bangladesh would value this partnership”.
The
ISW says the ISIS could launch new offensives in North Africa and
declare new affiliates in Southeast Asia, apart from Bangladesh.
This is to maintain an “overall momentum” in those regions.
This
strategy will also seek to establish resilience “elsewhere” in the
region as it faces challenges in Iraq and Syria, where the radical group
is based.
Earlier, in its online magazine, 'Dabiq', the ISIS said they had found a leader for the Bengal region.
The
leader, the magazine claimed, had pledged allegiance to the Khalifah
Ibrahim - Al Baghdadi, who now controls parts of Iraq and Syria.
But the government has denied any such presence in Bangladesh.
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