The Islamic State's Growing Influence In South East Asia

Iraqi forces are close to retaking full control of the city of Mosul, the Islamic State's last and largest urban bastion in Iraq.

The Iraqi Prime Miniter tweeted on Thursday that "we are seeing the end of the fake Daesh state" with the liberation of Mosul, but unfortunately it won't be as simple as that.

As if it were preparing itself for the fall of Mosul and Raqqa in the next months, the terrorist group has grown its influence to South East Asia.

Afghanistan, Iran, Sub-Saharan Africa, and the Philippines have become the new fronts in the fight against the Islamic State.

This brief analysis pays particular attention to the country presided over by Rodrigo Durtete, where a new IS-linked group, the Maute Group, has taken the southern city of Maerawi, igniting an intense conflict that has already caused civilian victims.

"IS and its related groups are in it for the long haul. Any idea that military suppression by the US or anyone else will work is wishful thinking."