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

Authors:

  • Magnus Normark
  • Anders Lindblad
  • Björn Sandström
  • Anna Karin Tunemalm
  • Daniel Wiktelius
  • Per Wikström
  • Anna Vesterlund

Publish date: 2020-04-22

Report number: FOI-R--4953--SE

Pages: 32

Written in: Swedish

Keywords:

  • non-state actors
  • terrorism
  • crime
  • bioterrorism
  • CBRN
  • threat assessment
  • annual report

Abstract

The aim of the report is to present an updated assessment of the threat posed by non-state actors' use of chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials (CBRN) to cause adverse effects on society. No known CBRN-related terrorist attack have occurred during 2019. However, there is still a wide spread concern for this type of attack to happen and the consequences it may generate in the society. Expressions of threats, propaganda and instructions on CBRN-attacks are still being disseminated within extremist communities, with the purpose of spreading fear and inspiring sympathizers in the West to commit to the jihadi cause and take actions. Sporadic incidents show that this dissemination of information generates potential security threats. In addition to the loss of infrastructure, Daesh has also lost several leading persons that enabled the production and use of crude chemical weapons in the conflict areas in Syria and Iraq. No credible information on assaults with chemical substances in the conflict area has come to our attention during the last two years.