Pentagon warns ISIS threat-activity increasing in Middle East, terror group trying to 'reconstitute'

The U.S. military command overseeing the Middle East has reported increased ISIS threat activity, suggesting the terrorist organization is trying to reconstitute. Iran-backed Houthis have also stepped up attacks in the Red Sea, a key trade route.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) reported Tuesday that "ISIS has claimed 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria" between January and June.

"At this rate, ISIS is on pace to more than double the total number of attacks they claimed in 2023. The increase in attacks indicates ISIS is attempting to reconstitute following several years of decreased capability," according to CENTCOM.

As part of its "Defeat ISIS Mission," CENTCOM is "continu[ing] the effort to defeat ISIS and prevent its ability to conduct external attacks," the command also said.

CENTCOM reported conducting "196 Defeat ISIS Missions resulting in 44 ISIS operatives killed and 166 detained in the first half of 2024" in concert with regional partners, the Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces.

The command also said the "operations resulted in eight senior ISIS leaders killed and 32 captured in both Iraq and Syria," including leaders "responsible for planning of operations outside of Syria and Iraq, recruiting, training, and weapons smuggling."

Iran-backed Houthis, a major combatant in the Yemeni Civil War, have also ramped up operations through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles.

"U.S. Central Command forces successfully destroyed five Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles" over Yemen or the Red Sea in a 24-hour period, according to the Defense Department.

CENTCOM also reported an attack on an "Israeli-owned" tanker transporting vegetable oil through the Red Sea.

"Iranian-backed Houthis used three surface vessels in this attack, one uncrewed surface vessel and two small boats."

CENTCOM reported no injuries or damage resulted from the attack according to information available earlier this week.