Revived European/Roman Empire 10 Nation Military Coalition: France terror threat: Warning issued as ‘homegrown jihadis’ remain huge concern. Fresh wave of attacks on western targets possible before the end of the year. Isis, which is still worth between $50m and $300m (6×5). European governments believe that around 5,000 to 6,000 of their citizens travelled to Syria and Iraq to join extremist movements, most of them pledging allegiance to Isis. A lot of Five’s (5) and Six’s (6) in the data.
By ROMINA MCGUINNESS PUBLISHED: 18:13, Thu, Sep 19, 2019. Express.co.uk
However, M Nuñez warned the threat “has not diminished”. He told FranceInfo radio: “Unfortunately, the threat level remains unchanged.” The UK Foreign Office has also warned “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France”. M Nuñez said “homegrown” jihadists inspired by the Islamic State (Isis) group’s ideology remained the biggest security threat to France, stoking fresh concerns over the organisation’s ability to wield influence even after its territorial defeat in Iraq and Syria.
The greatest threat is the so-called homegrown
threat by radicalised individuals based in France. These are people who obey
ISIS and are inspired by its propaganda,” he said, adding that would-be
jihadists were most likely to launch low-tech knife and vehicle attacks.
US-backed forces pushed Isis out its remaining territory in March. Hundreds of foreign fighters are
now being held in detention camps while western governments try and work out
what to do with them. (Note: This
article was written BEFORE Trump pulled out of Syria in October which allowed
thousands of terrorists to escape captivity).
France has so far refused to take back citizens who joined the group’s so-called “caliphate,” insisting adults captured in Iraq or Syria should face trial locally despite the risk of capital punishment.
M Nuñez added western states should “remain prudent” amid claims Isis has strengthened its insurgent capabilities in Iraq and is re-surging in Syria. It is crucial for western governments to “track” their movements, he said.
The security chief’s warning echoed a recent, alarming UN report on global terrorism, in which analysts said that Isis could launch a fresh wave of terrorist attacks before the end of the year, including those designed to “exacerbate existing dissent and unrest” in Europe.
UN experts on the Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee said that Isis officials were currently focused on “adapting, consolidating and creating conditions for an eventual resurgence” despite their recent setbacks.
The group, though short on funds, is actively seeking ways to “reinvest in the capacity to direct and facilitate complex international attacks,” the July report said.
“The current abatement of such attacks, therefore, may not last long, possibly not even until the end of 2019,” according to the UN. Isis, which is still worth between £40 million ($50m) and £240 million ($300m), is using propaganda to maintain its “virtual caliphate,” the analysts added. The report was based on the intelligence assessments of UN member states. European governments believe that around 5,000 to 6,000 of their citizens travelled to Syria and Iraq to join extremist movements, most of them pledging allegiance to Isis. About a third were killed, while another third are being held in detention or have moved elsewhere. More than 2,000 may have returned to Europe.Paris and other European capitals are on high alert after a string of attacks in recent years by Islamist militants, most of them inspired by Isis. Jihadists have killed almost 250 people in France since early 2015 (5 years) and dozens more have lost their lives in attacks in London, Manchester, Barcelona and Brussels.