US strikes boost IS more hostages possible: FBI

(MENAFN- Arab News) WASHINGTON: Support for Islamic State increased after US airstrikes began in Iraq and the militant group may take more hostages to try to force concessions from Washington the FBI director told Congress on Wednesday.

Islamic State is 'committed to instilling fear and attracting recruits' and to drawing public attention as shown through its use of social media and in videos it released of the beheadings of American journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff said FBI Director James Comey.

'ISIL's widespread use of social media and growing online support intensified following the commencement of US airstrikes in Iraq' Comey using an acronym for the group said in prepared testimony for a congressional hearing on threats to the US homeland.

Islamic State and other outfits 'may continue to try to capture American hostages in an attempt to force the US government and people into making concessions that would only strengthen ISIL and further its terrorist operations' Comey said.

Islamic State draws an estimated $1 million per day from black market oil sales smuggling robberies and ransom payments for hostages according to Matt Olsen director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

The US and UK unlike some European nations do not pay ransom for the release of hostages.

The group's ability to attack the US homeland relies in part on its widespread and sophisticated use of social media to radicalize Americans the national security officials told the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee.

The group used these tools as it drew recruits from more than 15000 foreign fighters in Syria who may return to their countries 'battle-hardened radicalized and determined to attack us' Olsen the top US counterterrorism official said in prepared testimony.

Syria remains a prime training ground for independent or Al-Qaeda-aligned groups. 'The rate of travelers into Syria exceeds the rate of travelers who went into Afghanistan/Pakistan Iraq Yemen or Somalia at any point in the last 10 years' he said.

The security officials testified as the US military prepared to expand American-led action against Islamic State to Syria striking the militant group's safe havens in that country to knock out infrastructure logistics and command capabilities.