Lone-wolf terror strike in US raises alarm over ISIS resurgence

A New Year’s Eve celebration in New Orleans, a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana, turned into a tragedy when a lone-wolf attack left 15 people dead and nearly 30 injured.

The attacker, identified as 42-year-old Shamsuddin Jabar, a Texas resident and former U.S. Army serviceman, drove a pickup truck into a crowd before engaging in a firefight with police, wounding two officers. Jabar, who was killed in the exchange, was found to have been inspired by ISIS ideology.

The FBI has labeled the incident an act of terrorism, citing evidence found at the scene, including ISIS paraphernalia and explosive materials in Jabar’s truck. Jabar reportedly wore smart glasses to livestream the attack and had visited Louisiana twice before the incident, according to investigators.

The attack has reignited fears of ISIS’s lingering influence in the U.S., particularly through lone-wolf operatives. While the group’s territorial caliphate was dismantled in 2019, its ideology persists, spreading through social media and encrypted channels. Experts warn that such decentralized operations pose a significant challenge for law enforcement.

International analysts point to the New Orleans attack as a potential act of retaliation for U.S. airstrikes on ISIS strongholds in Syria during the group’s peak. Washington Post highlighted that the attack signifies a resurgence of ISIS-inspired violence, echoing warnings from intelligence agencies.

In the aftermath of the attack, questions have surfaced regarding the preparedness of the U.S. to counter emerging terrorist threats. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton, in a CNN interview, stated that the New Orleans tragedy underscores the growing danger of ISIS under President Trump’s second term.

The global threat posed by ISIS is further emphasized by the group’s evolving tactics. According to a BBC report, ISIS has leveraged advancements in artificial intelligence and digital propaganda to recruit followers and coordinate attacks. Despite its diminished physical presence, the group’s ideology continues to inspire individuals worldwide.

The attack has also prompted renewed scrutiny of U.S. counterterrorism efforts, with lawmakers expressing concern over potential policy shifts.

Congressman Michael Waltz suggested that President Trump may reconsider his campaign pledge to withdraw U.S. troops from Syria, given the persistent threat posed by ISIS.