While you focus on Raqqa we will conquer Istanbul, Rome: IS to Trump

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – The Islamic State (IS) sent a warning to the United States President Donald Trump about their plans to expand control to Istanbul and Rome, a counterterrorism organization reported on Monday.

According to the SITE Intelligence group, a non-governmental counterterrorism organization, a Somalian militant linked with IS suggested the extremist group would conquer more territory.

“You might have your eyes on Raqqa [and] Mosul, but we have our eyes on Constantinople [and] Rome,” the militant said, referring to the US-led coalition’s campaign in Iraq and Syria.

Since capturing Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria in 2014, the extremist group has lost a significant amount of territory in the region.

Earlier this month, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced victory over IS in Mosul after nearly 10 months of intense clashes.

Meanwhile, the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) are engaged in an ongoing battle to remove the militants from Raqqa, their last remaining stronghold in the country.

Security officials have warned of the possible threat IS fighters pose to countries outside of the Middle East, especially in Europe and North America.

Counterterrorism expert David Otto said the militant group carries a “global” threat as their influence expands.

“The implication [of the Somali fighter’s message] is that Europe will suffer the consequences of the displacement of [IS] from its strongholds of Raqqa and Mosul,” Otto explained.

“This is a clear warning sign to all European states including the UK, France, Belgium, and Germany that an attack is imminent,” he concluded.

Editing by Ava Homa