(VOVworld) - The global threat emanating from the Islamic State remains high and continues to diversify. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in his 21-page report that more than 500 individuals had been killed over the past 6 months in IS-linked terrorist attacks in Bangladesh, Belgium, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Lebanon, Pakistan, Russia, Turkey, and the US. The attacks in Paris and Brussels demonstrated the ability of IS fighters to mount complex, multi-wave attacks.

Members of the Shi'ite Badr organisation inspect the remains of Iraqi security forces who were killed by Islamic State militants. (Photo: Reuters)

According to the report sent to the UN Security Council, IS has efficiently recruited members around the globe via the media and 38,000 IS fighters have joined their ranks from North Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe, and South and Southeast Asia. Sexual violence, the trafficking of women and girls, and the killing of civilians and damage to historical sites have been common in IS-controlled areas.

Ban called for closer international cooperation to fight IS and other terror groups. The UN Security Council is scheduled to look at this report at its June 8^th meeting.