Despite Airstrikes, Daesh Expands Operations to 18 Countries

Local Editor

Daesh [the Arabic acronym for the terrorist "ISIS" group] expanded three-fold since the beginning of the US-led coalition airstrikes against the terrorists in 2014, local media reported citing a classified map prepared for President Barack Obama's security briefing.

This year, Daesh became fully operational in 18 countries around the world, according to a US National Counterterrorism Center map dated August 2016, NBC Nightly News said on Tuesday.

In 2014, Daesh was operational in only six countries, while spreading its influence to 13 countries in 2015.

In addition, the map showed that aspiring Daesh branches are currently operating in six countries, including Bangladesh.

The US-led coalition of more than 60 nations has been carrying out airstrikes against Daesh in Syria and Iraq since the summer of 2014.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team