Up to 1,750 jihadists back in Europe, report warns

7 December 2016, 9:32 pm

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Around a third of the estimated 5,000 European jihadists who went to Syria and Iraq have returned to Europe, and some may have orders to attack, an EU report is warning.

Up to 2,500 fighters from Europe remain on the battlefield but their massive return in the short term seems unlikely, according to the report seen by AFP.

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 says between 15 to 20 percent of the Europeans have died on the battlefield, around 30 to 35 percent have returned and 50 percent remain in the battle theater, which amounts to between 2,000 and 2,500 Europeans.

— AFP