News Mention: Osama bin Laden’s Son Faces Lifetime Ban From France After Terror-Related Post

“Lucas Webber, a senior threat intelligence analyst at Tech Against Terrorism in London and a research fellow at the Soufan Center, told The Media Line that European countries are increasingly vigilant against “the growing jihadist threat."

“European and Western nations are now on high alert due to the heightened risk from groups like the Islamic State and al-Qaida,” he said, noting that the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has also increased online radicalization efforts.

He said that several people in the West were successfully radicalized by the Islamic State group and IS-KP since October 7, 2023, leading to multiple terror attacks.

“Al-Qaida has adeptly exploited technology and social media for its objectives,” Webber added. “The group’s branch in the Arabian Peninsula, AQAP, has been notably aggressive, frequently publishing calls for attacks and sharing bomb-making materials online.”

Western nations need to take coordinated action against these threats, Webber said. He said that Western counterterrorism strategies need to include responding to immediate threats, tackling online propaganda, and building stronger communities.

“Fostering community resilience and promoting social cohesion are essential for disrupting the recruitment strategies of these extremist groups,” he said.

The Media Line, 11 October 2024