Most European Islamic State Fighters Are From 4 Countries

Islamic State video claims to show nine Paris attackers. (photo credit:screenshot)

Al Arabiya/AFP: Most EU foreign fighters in Iraq, Syria are from 4 nations

Around 4,000 Europeans have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join extremist groups as foreign fighters, most from just four EU countries, a new study released Friday said.

Of the estimated 3,922 to 4,294 foreign fighters from EU member states, some 2,838 came from Belgium, Britain, France and Germany, said the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism in The Hague.

Using data supplied by 26 EU countries, the independent think-tank found that while around 30 percent have since returned home, about 14 percent were killed on the battlefield.

The center also found that there was “no clear-cut profile” of a foreign fighter. Some 17 percent of the group were women, and up to 23 percent were converts to Islam.

More than 90 percent come from large metropolitan areas, some from the same neighborhoods suggesting the “radicalization process” is short and “often involves circles of friends radicalizing as a group and deciding to leave jointly for Syria and Iraq.”

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WNU Editor: And many of them are now returning "home" .... Welcome Home! A Third of Europe's Jihadist Fighters Return From Syria, Iraq (Sputnik)

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