The EU’s top law enforcement body today issued a dramatic new warning that “several dozen” Islamic State terrorists could be hiding in countries across Europe poised to carry out attacks.
In a stark assessment, Europol also says that Syrian refugees might “be vulnerable to radicalisation once in Europe” and “targeted by extremist recruiters” as it spelled out the increasing danger faced by the public.
It also warned that “facial recognition” techniques deployed in refugee camps have produced “hits, identifying individuals who are suspected to have been involved in hostile activities” and that IS has a “full stock of blank Syrian passports” and “access to skilled falsifiers” who can help it smuggle terrorists into Europe.
The warnings came in a new report published today by the law enforcement agency, which is headed by the Briton Rob Wainwright.
It says that automatic firearms, blades, vehicles and explosives are the most “probable” weapons that would be used in new extremist assaults.
But it also predicts that “car bombs, extortion and kidnappings may be employed as methods of attack” as extremists copied tactics deployed in Syria and Iraq.
The report adds: “Further attacks in the EU, both by lone actors and groups, are likely to be attempted. Estimates from some intelligence services indicate several dozen people directed by IS may be currently present in Europe with a capability to commit terrorist attacks.
“In addition to France and Belgium, all other EU Member States that are part of the US-led coalition against IS may be targeted by terrorists led or inspired by IS.”
The report warns further that IS is expected to start “planning and dispatching attacks from Libya” and highlights the threat posed by returning foreign fighters, particularly if IS is defeated in Syria and Iraq.
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It also highlights the risk that refugees from Syria could be radicalised in an attempt to promote division within Europe with Germany one potential target because of the large numbers of migrants there who have fled in rejection of “the promise of the Caliphate as an Islamic utopia.”
“Given that it is in the interests of IS to inflame the migration crisis to polarise the EU population and turn sections of it against those seeking asylum, some infiltration of refugee camps and other refugee/migrant groups is likely,” the report states.
Unveiling the report, Mr Wainwright said that good cooperation between European law enforcers was helping to “mitigate the threat” but that a “high” risk remained.
Gilles de Kerchove, the EU’s counter-terrorism coordinator, added: “We have to be vigilant, since the threat posed by the so-called Islamic State and returning foreign fighters is likely to persist in the coming years.”
