GETTY
Congress were told the US threat comes after ISIS’ infiltration of migrantsCongress were told the US threat comes after ISIS’ infiltration of the migrant population and the "success" of the Paris attacks.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper also warned the growth of terror groups into nations such as Libya will make it more difficult to prevent such attacks.
Director of National Intelligence James Clapper also warned the growth of terror groups into nations such as Libya will make it more difficult to prevent such attacks.
The Senate hearing into the fight against terrorism also revealed more than 36,500 foreign fighters, including at least 6,600 from Western countries, have traveled to Syria from more than 100 countries since 2012.
In a chilling proclaimation, Mr Clapper said ISIS would step up their "pace and lethality" of their attacks in the coming months, as the terror group look to expand influence beyond Iraq and Syria.
In a chilling proclaimation, Mr Clapper said ISIS would step up their "pace and lethality" of their attacks in the coming months, as the terror group look to expand influence beyond Iraq and Syria.
AP
GETTYHe said there are more "terrorist safe havens than at any time in history" with violent extremists finding shelter in nearly 40 countries around the world.
Mr Clapper described ISIS as America's "number one terrorist threat" and warned homegrown lone wolf attacks were the most likely to be planned.
The security chief added terror groups around the world had been galvanised by the "success" of Paris as well as attacks in California last year.
He explained: "The past attacks might motivate others to replicate opportunistic attacks with little or no warning, diminishing our ability to detect terrorist operational planning and readiness."
Mr Clapper described ISIS as America's "number one terrorist threat" and warned homegrown lone wolf attacks were the most likely to be planned.
The security chief added terror groups around the world had been galvanised by the "success" of Paris as well as attacks in California last year.
He explained: "The past attacks might motivate others to replicate opportunistic attacks with little or no warning, diminishing our ability to detect terrorist operational planning and readiness."
He said American-based extremists “pose the most significant Sunni terrorist threat to the U.S. homeland in 2016."
Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, backed up Mr Clapper and told senators that ISIS "will probably attempt to conduct additional attacks in Europe, and attempt to direct attacks on the US homeland in 2016.”
Both security officials acknowledged the terrorists were exploiting the current refugee exodus from Iraq and Syria and hiding among innocent civilians to reach targeted countries.
Lieutenant General Vincent Stewart, director of the Defense Intelligence Agency, backed up Mr Clapper and told senators that ISIS "will probably attempt to conduct additional attacks in Europe, and attempt to direct attacks on the US homeland in 2016.”
Both security officials acknowledged the terrorists were exploiting the current refugee exodus from Iraq and Syria and hiding among innocent civilians to reach targeted countries.
Lt Stewart said: "ISIS was taking advantage of the torrent of migrants to insert operatives into that flow," adding that they were "pretty skilled at phony passports so they can travel ostensibly as legitimate travelers."
ISIS fighters have reportedly seized Syrian passport facilities with machines capable of manufacturing passports.
Lt Stewart added that ISIS were becaming influential in countries such as "Libya, Sinai, Mali, Indonesia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Caucasus."
He explained: “Daesh is likely to increase the pace and lethality of its transnational attacks because it seeks to unleash violent actions and to provoke a harsh reaction from the West, thereby feeding its distorted narrative of a Western war against Islam.
“These threats are exacerbated by the security challenges of the Middle East, which is now facing one of the most dangerous and unpredictable periods in the last decade."
ISIS fighters have reportedly seized Syrian passport facilities with machines capable of manufacturing passports.
Lt Stewart added that ISIS were becaming influential in countries such as "Libya, Sinai, Mali, Indonesia, Somalia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and the Caucasus."
He explained: “Daesh is likely to increase the pace and lethality of its transnational attacks because it seeks to unleash violent actions and to provoke a harsh reaction from the West, thereby feeding its distorted narrative of a Western war against Islam.
“These threats are exacerbated by the security challenges of the Middle East, which is now facing one of the most dangerous and unpredictable periods in the last decade."
APA recent report this month quoted "around 70" or so ISIS-linked individuals had been arrested during 2015.
On the fight against ISIS in the Middel East, Lt Stewart said an offensive to liberate Iraqi's second largest city of Mosul, from ISIS, would not be completed until next year.
The capture of the large city became an important propaganda coup for ISIS and the US fear the offensive may require at least 20,000 troops to retake Iraqi's cultural centre.
The Senate hearing also heard how Iran remained the top state sponsor of terrorism and although sidelined by ISIS, al-Qaeda-linked groups were still resilient.
Mr Clapper said the US will continue to see cyber threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
On the fight against ISIS in the Middel East, Lt Stewart said an offensive to liberate Iraqi's second largest city of Mosul, from ISIS, would not be completed until next year.
The capture of the large city became an important propaganda coup for ISIS and the US fear the offensive may require at least 20,000 troops to retake Iraqi's cultural centre.
The Senate hearing also heard how Iran remained the top state sponsor of terrorism and although sidelined by ISIS, al-Qaeda-linked groups were still resilient.
Mr Clapper said the US will continue to see cyber threats from China, Russia and North Korea.
CREDIT: http://www.express.co.uk/
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