Leaked ISIS ‘heat map’ reveals how the terror group now has official branches in 18 countries around the world
Groundbreaking revelation comes as US strikes ISIS targets in Libya for the first time
ISIS has "fully operational" branches in 18 countries around the world, leaked White House intelligence has revealed.
A heat map showing the presence of jihadist terror cells dated August 2016 shows the full reach of the evil group is now bigger than ever.
The classified map, created by the US National Counterterrorism Center, was intended only to be seen by top security officials and President Obama.
It details ISIS's horrifying expansion across the globe -- a near threefold increase in countries where it operates from just two years ago.
The comprehensive map obtained by lists "aspiring branches" where the terror group is gathering momentum.
These growing cells are appearing in Egypt, Indonesia, Mali, the Philippines, Somalia and Bangladesh.
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"Core" countries include Syria and Iraq, where ISIS occupies physical territory.
"Official" branches -- meaning a considerable terrorist presence -- exist in countries including Algeria, Nigeria, Libya, the Sinai Peninsula, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Caucasus in southern Russia.
The groundbreaking revelation comes in the week the US began its airstrike campaign against ISIS insurgents in Libya.
It is the first expansion of America's military operations against the group since it began its bombing targets in Syria and Iraq in 2014.
Meanwhile, Britain's fight against Islamic State has been boosted after RAF Tornado jets blitzed one of Saddam Hussein's old palaces that was being used as an Islamic State HQ.
A main building at the site had been used as a meeting centre and accommodation for the terrorists before it was destroyed on Monday afternoon.
Other buildings provided bases for command and control, training and internal security.
Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said: “Daesh has been losing followers and territory for months, and emphatic strikes like this show that we and the coalition will not waver.
";Daesh fighters, both foreign and home grown, can see that they are targets inside this cult.”
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