US authorities are investigating whether the New Orleans attack is linked to ISIS. This is what we know about the terrorist organization now.
A man drove a pickup truck into a crowd and shot police on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans. 15 people lost their lives.
The US authorities suspect that it was a terrorist attack by the ISIS organization.
1. What is the situation with ISIS right now?
In the mid-2010s, the terrorist organization Isis controlled large areas in Syria and Iraq. In a couple of years, it lost almost all of its territory in an international military operation.
In Syria, it was left in possession of small towns. As a result of the revolution in Syria last November, Isis also lost control of these areas.
The loss of the core area, the caliphate, weakened the organization significantly. However, ISIS is active in many countries, especially in the Middle East and Africa. Perhaps its strongest sub-organization is Khorasan, i.e. Isis-K, operating in Afghanistan.
2. What can Isis do?
Senior researcher at the Foreign Policy Institute Toni Alaranta reminds that even though Isis has lost geographical control, a significant part of its activities is a “virtual caliphate”, spreading its own message on the internet worldwide.
ISIS has a considerable number of hidden “cells”, i.e. small groups of activists who are ready to act when they receive an order.
Many radicalized individuals also follow ISIS communications and may be inspired to commit acts of terrorism. Before the New Orleans incident, ISIS reportedly sent Telegram messagewho urged Muslims living in “crusading countries” to attack.
Since ISIS no longer has states, it is important for it to be able to prove to its supporters that it is still effective and capable of functioning. In this situation, it tends to emphasize its power by striking at targets that are most easily accessible, i.e. gatherings of ordinary people.
– This is the most dangerous activity possible, because individual attacks, such as driving a car into a crowd, waving knives in a crowd, are the most difficult to prevent, Alaranta describes.
3. Why do ISIS supporters commit terrorist acts?
ISIS supporters are driven by their extreme view of the Islamic faith.
– They are against all groups that they consider to be acting against the teachings of Islam. It also includes Muslim groups they consider to be heretics [vääräuskoisia]Alaranta says.
The ultimate goal for Isis is to retake land and create a caliphate, but that is not current in this situation. Alaranta reminds that Isis gains support, for example, because of Israel’s forceful actions against the Palestinians.
– Israel’s actions arouse great anger among the locals. One result is that young men may become radicalized, and Isis’ extreme message becomes interesting, says Alaranta.
The unfortunate consequence of the positive development in Syria may be an increase in terrorist attacks elsewhere. Isis may also try to take advantage of the confused political situation in Syria.
4. What attacks has Isis carried out recently?
Isis carried out dozens of attacks in 2024. Perhaps the most devastating of them was the attack on a concert hall in Moscow, in which 145 people died.
In Iran, Isis claimed responsibility for a bombing in the city of Kerman, where a military leader killed in a US drone strike was celebrated Qasem Soleimani a funeral.
In Solingen, Germany, an ISIS supporter armed with a knife attacked festival guests in August, killing three and injuring eight.