Barack Obama directs intensification of anti-ISIS efforts

Washington, Mar 29: US President Barack Obama has asked his top national security team to intensify their anti- ISIS efforts to ensure that the US is doing everything possible to degrade and destroy the dreaded terror outfit, the White House has said.

"The President directed his team to continue to intensify efforts to degrade and destroy ISIL and to ensure that the US is doing everything possible to disrupt any ISIL external plotting efforts, including by continuing our strong leadership in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL," the White House said on Monday after Obama's meeting with top officials.

Obama met with key members of his counterterrorism and homeland security team to discuss the efforts following the horrific March 22 ISIL terrorist attacks in Brussels that killed more than 35 people, the White House said.

"The President was briefed that there is currently no specific, credible intelligence of any plot to conduct similar attacks here in the US," it said.

Obama's team also apprised him of recent expanded information-sharing activities with international partners and ways that the US is working to disrupt and counter external plots emanating from ISIL-controlled territory.

"Additionally, the President received briefings on ongoing efforts to address ISIL's use of the Internet to recruit followers, incite them to violence, and mobilise them to engage in attacks in the US and abroad," the White House said.

PTI