With at least 6,800 European nationals fighting in Syria and Iraq, and estimates suggesting that approximately a quarter – nearly 2,000 – have already returned, the risk is not insignificant. Monitoring these returnees has added significant strain to European intelligence and security services. Closer examination of the available data shows a variance in the number of returnees per country. A (rough) distinction can be made between Northern and Southern European countries (see figure). While countries such as Italy (10.5%), France (14.2%), and Spain (14.7%) are facing relatively low percentages of returnees, countries such as Denmark (49.6%), the United Kingdom (50%), and Finland (53.8%) have a significantly higher share of jihadi foreign fighters returning. Where does this variance stem from?
An analysis by HCSS analysts Reinier Bergema and Peter Wijninga on Jihadology.
The full article can be found here.
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