EU warns of 1,500 jihadists returning to Europe
Over 1,500 jihadists fighting with ISIS in Syria and Iraq have returned to Europe with orders to "carry out attacks", warns an EU report. It has been estimated that 5,000 European ISIS followers travelled to Syria and Iraq with 15-20% dying in battle and around 30-35% returning to Europe with “specific missions”. We noted in September that the returning volunteers from the Islamic State posed a "massive security challenge", with France particularly at risk, according to officials.
As many as 5,000 European ISIS fanatics have travelled to fight in Syria and Iraq

MORE than 1,500 jihadists fighting with ISIS in Syria and Iraq have returned to Europe with orders to "carry out attacks", an EU report warned.

An estimated 5,000 European ISIS fanatics went to Syria and Iraq and 15 to 20 per cent of them died on the battlefield.

8 Jihadis are primed to attack Europe, an EU report warned Credit: PA:Press Association Images

Around 30 to 35 per cent have returned with "specific missions", while the other half remained in the battle theatre - which amounted to between 2,000 and 2,500 Europeans.

This means as many as 1,750 may have returned, based on the percentages listed in the report which EU counter-terrorism coordinator Gilles de Kerchove will present to EU interior ministers on Friday.

The report said there were two types of 'foreign terrorist fighters' returning.

8 ISIS fighters holding the Al-Qaeda flag with 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' written on it Credit: Alamy

8 Around a third of the estimated 5,000 European jihadists have returned to Europe - some may have 'orders to attack' Credit: Alamy

8 Earlier this year, three coordinated suicide bombings occurred in Belgium: two at Brussels Airport in Zaventem, and one at Maalbeek metro station in central Brussels Credit: AP:Associated Press

8 Last month Belgium expressed concern that jihadists were increasingly returning to Europe Credit: EPA

It warned: "It is important to share information on returnees who are already back in Europe, those that are in transit and ... (those) still in the conflict zone."

"There are largely two categories of returnees: those in the majority who will drift back and those who will be sent back on specific missions, which are of most concern."

The report comes after Belgium expressed concern last month that jihadists were increasingly returning to Europe as US-backed coalition forces drive the terrorist group from Syria and Iraq.

The report even claimed some European women and children born or raised in the so-called caliphate declared by ISIS in Iraq and Syria could pose a security threat as they may have been radicalised.

8 French guards tand next to a commemorative plaque at the Bataclan concert hall in Paris after a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the Paris terror attacks Credit: Getty Images

8 The city of Brussels remains at Belgium's highest level of terrorism alert following a decision made by the Belgian national security council Credit: EPA

8 Suspected attacks mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud took part in the bars and restaurants in the November 13 terror attacks in Paris Credit: Getty Images

Without giving figures, it said some returnees have been convicted and serving prison sentences, while others are being monitored and some are free in their communities.

It recalled that foreign fighters who have returned to Europe have staged both foiled and successful attacks, including the slaughter in Paris in November last year and this year's bombings in Brussels in March.

Both sets of attacks were claimed by ISIS, which is also known by its Arabic acronym Daesh.

"There is also a significant foreign terrorist fighter contingent with Daesh in Libya which might attempt to use their nationality or family connections to return to Europe," the report said.

It said returnees were keeping in touch with Daesh in the Middle East via social media and increasingly turning from mainstream Twitter to the encrypted one-to-one messaging service Telegram.

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