Targeted killings invite retaliatory terrorist attacks

Significance

His death reignites debates about whether such targeted killings are effective in reducing the scale or impact of subsequent terrorist attacks.

Impacts

• Maintaining the pressure on ISG in the coming weeks will prevent them from re-grouping easily.
• Yet the actual impact of Adnani's death on ISG's capabilities will not be felt for a long time.
• A backlash will be possible for a number of months.
• Attacks in the near future are likely to have been planned and instigated prior to his death.