EU Anti-terror Chief: Hundreds of Europeans Are Fighting in Syria

The EU Counter Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove revealed that hundreds of Europeans are fighting with the armed terrorist groups in Syria.

De Kerchove told the British BBC network that hundreds of Europeans have gone to Syria and that some could join radical groups.

“Not all of them are radical when they leave. But most likely many of them will be radicalised there, will be trained,” the EU’s anti-terror chief said.

He noted that the UK, Ireland, France, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and other EU nations have significant numbers involved in the fighting, according to the BBC.

“As we’ve seen from previous situations this might create a serious threat when they get back,” he added.

The BBC said intelligence agencies across Europe have stepped up investigations in response to the growing number of European fighters in Syria, pointing out that the Netherlands raised the terror threat level from “limited” to “substantial” last month, partly over concerns about radicalised citizens returning.

It added that European intelligence agencies are concerned some could return home to launch terrorist attacks. One Belgian family says their son has joined rebels fighting Bashar al-Assad’s regime.

The British network indicated that the UK has increased efforts to track how fighters are recruited and funded, and that some politicians in Belgium have called for pre-emptive action to stop young Belgian Muslims from travelling.