Dutch concerned IS collapse could see terror threat rise at home

THE HAGUE — More jihadist fighters could return home to The Netherlands increasing the risk of terror attacks if the Islamic State group is defeated in battle, the Dutch counterterrorism agency warned Monday.

“The number of returning jihadist fighters will pick up should the ‘caliphate’ be militarily defeated or collapse,” the agency said in its latest “Terrorism Threat Assessment.”

“An increased number of returnees will most likely strengthen the jihadist movement within The Netherlands and therefore increase the threat posed by this group,” it said.

About 270 Dutch people left to join the jihadists, and about 40 former fighters are known to have returned from combat in Syria and Iraq, where most have been fighting against Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime.

Another 190 Dutch citizens including women and children older than nine are still in Syria and Iraq, the report said. While 44 fighters have been killed.

The current status of a “substantial threat” of a terror attack in The Netherlands was being maintained, the report said.

Top Dutch anti-terror czar Dick Schoof told the NOS public broadcaster Monday that any jihadists now returning to The Netherlands were “hardened fighters.”

“They have deliberately chosen to join a terror organization. Upon return they are arrested at once,” Schoof added.

“They say they regret their actions. But we subject them to thorough investigation,” he said.

The report also warned of increased violence by both left- and right-wing extremists in the run-up to next year’s parliamentary polls in March.