On March 16, Michael Kurilla, the commander of United States Central Command (CENTCOM) at a meeting of Senate Armed Services Committee said that the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP) is rapidly gaining the ability to attack American or Western interests outside of the country in less than six months "with little to no warning," reports Tolo News. "According to my commanders, a covert operation against United States (US) or Western interests can be carried out outside of the country in less than six months with little to no advance notice. I would explain why I came to that conclusion in a confidential meeting. For them, doing so against their native country is far more difficult," he added.