US alarmed as Islamic State expands campaign into North Africa

The Islamic State is reportedly opening a branch in North Africa in an attempt to expand its caliphate across Syria and Iraq.

The US and its allies are apparently alarmed by the IS move aimed at expanding its so-called caliphate.

According to The Washington Times, affiliated militants are already wreaking havoc in eastern Libya and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, presenting a complex challenge for Washington and its allies in the region.

An unnamed US intelligence official reportedly said that IS's stated goal of expanding its caliphate and its adherence to a strict form of Shariah has definitely resonated with a collection of extremists across North Africa, who appear to be mimicking IS's rhetoric and brutality.

Thomas Joscelyn, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington said that the Islamic State would soon commit and claim responsibility for an increasing number of attacks in North Africa, both in Libya and in the Sinai during the year ahead.

He added that the possibility was that the terror group would target Christians and others there, which could end up triggering sectarian violence in Egypt.