UN experts: Islamic State militants still pose world threat

UNITED NATIONS – U.N. experts say the Islamic State extremist group still poses "a significant and evolving threat around the world" despite recent setbacks in Iraq, Syria and the southern Philippines that forced the militants to relinquish strongholds.

The report to the Security Council circulated Tuesday said IS "has lost its focus on conquering and holding territory" but is continuing "to give prominence to external attacks."

The experts said the extremist group is now organized "as a global network" with "less operational control over its affiliates" and some members reportedly willing to work with al-Qaida networks "to support one another's attacks."

As a result, the fight against IS militants is entering a new phase with more focus on "less visible networks of individuals and cells acting with a degree of autonomy."