Israel worried about possible Daesh attack from Syria, Egypt

Israeli security services have raised high alert regarding the near defeat of Daesh in Syria, fearing it would turn into an elusive organisation that carries out attacks around the world, Arab48 reported yesterday.

According to Israeli news website Walla, which is close to the Israeli security services, Daesh has recently carried out attacks in Iraq, Syria, the Philippines, Afghanistan and other countries.

In a report, Israel’s Directorate of Military Intelligence estimated the number of Daesh members to between 150,000 and 200,000 around the world, pointing out that most of their activities moved to the desert in Syria, which is not fully under regime control.

READ: Israel preparing for comprehensive war in Syria

On Saturday, US President Donald Trump tweeted: “The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 ISIS [Daesh] fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial.”

“The Caliphate is ready to fall. The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them…….. We are pulling back after 100% Caliphate victory!”

The United States is asking Britain, France, Germany and other European allies to take back over 800 ISIS fighters that we captured in Syria and put them on trial. The Caliphate is ready to fall. The alternative is not a good one in that we will be forced to release them……..

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 17, 2019

A senior American army officer said yesterday that a large number of Daesh fighters had left Syria heading to Iraq over the last six months, holding with them $200 million.

Walla reported an official at the Israeli Centre of Intelligence and Terror Information saying: “Daesh is preparing to deploy in the Euphrates … Then, its members will head to Germany, the US, France and other European countries and Caucuses.”

READ: Syrian state media says Israel fires missiles in southern province

According to Walla, Israel is worried that Deash activists will return to their countries of origin and attack Israelis, Israeli embassies and Jewish officials after revelations that Tel Aviv had helped the US in its war against the group in Syria.

Israel is also worried, Walla added, because of the report that Daesh fighters are gathering in parts of the Golan Heights controlled by Syria, as well as in Egypt’s Sinai. Adding that this could lead to a strike on Israel.