Denmark: 80 Danes have joined Syria fight

Denmark’s security service says it suspects around 80 people have travelled from Denmark to Syria to join the fight since mid-2012.

In a report released Sunday, the service, known as PET, said at least seven of those were killed there.

The Syria conflict has attracted hundreds of foreign fighters from European countries, many of whom have joined Islamic militant groups. The Norwegian intelligence service PST has said an estimated 30 to 40 people — and possibly more — have left from Norway, including two teenage sisters aged 16 and 19 that made headlines last month.

PET said the Danish recruits are mainly from “Islamist environments,” and criminal gangs. It also warned that the number of those with ties to criminal gangs that join Islamist circles is increasing.