The United Nations Security Council has confirmed that the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) operates with a "network of supporters" in Maldives.

As revealed by the 26th report by the monitoring team for the 'ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida Sanctions Committee', a network of extremists are colluding with the Khorasan Province of ISIL (ISIL-K).

SITE Intelligence Group, an organisation that tracks online activity of extremist organisations, disclosed that the Islamic State claimed responsibility for the blaze set in Mahibadhoo, Alif Dhaalu Atoll, on April 15.

Although Maldives Police Service ruled the incident as arson, speculating that it was pre-planned and carried out by extremists or drug traffickers as retaliation against the authorities' ongoing operations since September 2019, Police later declared that their investigations did not unearthed any substantial evidence linking the extremist organisation to the Mahibadhoo harbour arson.

Four speedboats, a sea ambulance, and two dinghy's docked adjacent to each other at Mahibadhoo's harbour went up in flames in the fire. Two of the burnt speedboats belonged to a private company, while one was a police launch and the other owned by the Alif Dhaalu Atoll council.

International organizations against terrorism has warned countries to be vigilant, as IS may use the global COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to carry out terrorist operations.

https://edition.mv/news/18143