Islamic State threatens drone attacks on Summer Olympic Games in Paris

Islamic State (IS) have released propaganda threatening “lone wolf” and drone attacks against the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.

In recent months, France’s DGSI (General Directorate for Internal Security) has indicated a significant increase in IS attempts across Europe to radicalise people over the internet. These efforts disproportionately target young and vulnerable people – including children.

Such individuals are particularly dangerous due to their encouragement to act alone, limiting opportunities for security forces to detect indicators and warnings of potential attacks.

“Jihadist ideology is not dead. ISIS has a new appeal among these younger generations”. - DGSI Director Nicolas Lerner

Additionally, IS’ mention of drone use is not new. The threat of IS drone use against Western targets was even described as “imminent” by then-FBI Director, Chris Wray, in 2018, however these have so far failed to manifest.

Despite the lack of incidents, IS have a substantial corporate knowledge of the weaponisation of commercial drone systems through their extensive use in Raqqa, Mosul, and beyond.

Since the IS attack against the Moscow concert hall on 22nd March, the Gendarmarie have moved to high alert.

Given the sheer saturation of security assets employed, a marauding (or “lone wolf”) attack is unlikely to be successful at the main event sites. The same is true for drone attacks, with significant investment in 15 ‘heavy anti-drone units’ to protect key areas.

Separately, these sites are also likely to be under additional pressure, as recent political upsets in France have increased the likelihood of protests in central Paris, and therefore demands on emergency services and public infrastructure.

However, the concentration of assets onto these sites may also leave other areas vulnerable, particularly Paris’ suburbs.

IS have already demonstrated intent to attack less obvious targets, with investigators disrupting plans for an IS sympathiser to gain a security pass to ‘side events’ for the upcoming Euros.

Overall, while substantial security assets are in place, IS retain both the intent and opportunity to conduct attacks in the coming months, indicating an active risk as Olympic Games draw closer.