EU Statement – UN Security Council: Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts

EU Statement - UN Security Council: Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts

4 February 2026, New York - Statement on behalf of the European Union by Ms. Anna Strzaska, European External Action Service Special Envoy for Counter-Terrorism, at the UN Security Council Briefing on Threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts

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Mr President, Distinguished Members of the Security Council,

The European Union notes with deep concern the persistent transnational threat posed by Da'esh.

Syria and Iraq continue to serve as the core of Da'esh's operational and ideological base. The current situation in Northeast Syria is particularly worrying. Camps and detention facilities holding Da'esh family members, affiliates and fighters require sustained stabilisation and humanitarian efforts to prevent the resurgence of Da'esh, restore dignity, ensure accountability, justice, and restore peace. In this endeavour, the EU and its Member States remain the largest donor in Syria.

The Syrian transitional authorities now bear the responsibility to defeat Da'esh and terrorism in all its forms, including in Northeast Syria - as demonstrated in their committment to join the Global Coalition against Da'esh. The EU strongly supports an inclusive security sector reform, justice accountability, including transitional justice.

Iraq plays a central role in the effort to defeat Da'esh. Iraq's assumption of responsibility for detained fighters transferred from Northeast Syria requires strengthening Iraq's capacities to ensure the safe detention of those prisoners, their prosecution and reintegration in full compliance with international standards.

The EU actively supports repatriation, rehabilitation and reintegration efforts to ease the pressure on Northeast Syria. The EU has supported the repatriation and rehabilitation of thousands of women, children and men in Iraq, Central Asia and the Western Balkans.

Mr President,

The Da'esh network extends across Africa, Afghanistan, Central, South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Western Balkans. In this context, ISKP constitutes a particularly acute terrorist threat to Europe, directly affecting/undermining the security of the European Union and its Member States. It activities aim to polarise societies, erode democratic values, recruit and radicalise individuals, while perpetuating fear through terrorist acts.

The EU is concerned by the complex challenges Da'esh affiliates represent in East, West and Central Africa. The EU's response in Africa is partnership-based, grounded in international law and holistic; we invest in prevention and societal resilience.

The EU works to prevent Da'esh's spillover effect and disrupt its networks through a strong multilateral engagement: as co-chair of the Global Counterterrorism Forum. The EU supports UN mechanisms, in direct partnership with the UNOCT and the whole CT Compact.

The EU remains a dedicated partner of the Global Coalition against Da'esh. And it is determined to drain the economic resources of Da'esh and other terrorist groups, amplifying the FATF efforts through its listing mechanism and supporting 46 countries' national systems to counter terrorist financing through its Global AML/CFT Facility.

Mr President, Da'esh's networks are adaptive and opportunistic. Effective responses require coordinated, facts-based and rights-compliant multilateral action, rooted in the respect for international law and human rights. Enhanced information- and expertise-sharing through a diverse multilateral counterterrorism architecture working collaboratively is now more important than ever. The EU remains fully committed to working with the UN and all partners to support international peace and security.

Thank you.