CBRN Threats and Incidents Involving Non-state Actors - 2019 Annual Report

The aim of this annual report is to present an updated assessment of the threat posed by non-state actors' use of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear (CBRN) materials to cause adverse effects on society. The content is based solely on open source information and includes a selection of incidents that occurred in 2019. The report has been produced by a research group at FOI (Swedish Defence Research Agency), within the framework of a grant from the Swedish Ministry of Defence. No known CBRN-related terrorist attacks have occurred during 2019. However, there is still a widespread concern that this type of attack will occur and about the consequences it may generate in the society. Threats, propaganda, and instructions concerning CBRN attacks are still being disseminated within extremist communities, with the purpose of spreading fear and inspiring sympathisers in the West to commit to the jihadi cause and take action. Sporadic incidents show that this dissemination of information generates potential security threats. In addition to their loss of infrastructure, Daesh has also lost several leading individuals who enabled the production and use of crude chemical weapons in the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq. No credible information on assaults with chemical materials in the conflict area has come to our attention during the last two years.