'Militants returning from Iraq, Syria may attack Germany'
Iran Press TV
Sun Aug 31, 2014 12:4PM GMT
The chief of Germany's domestic security agency has warned of the potential attacks against the country by militants returning from Iraq and Syria.
"We have to expect that these people will return and commit attacks here," Hans-Georg Maassen, the chief of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), said on Sunday.
He said more than 400 people have left Germany to join militant groups in Iraq and Syria, and at least five have died these two countries.
Maassen also stressed the importance of intensifying cooperation with Turkish intelligence services, as many militants transit through Turkey to fight in Iraq and Syria.
The comments came two days after British Prime Minister David Cameron said intelligence services believe at least 500 Britons have gone to fight in Syria and Iraq.
Australia has also announced efforts to battle homegrown extremists returning from Iraq and Syria.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott made the comments in Melbourne on Tuesday and said there are about 60 Australians fighting along with the ISIL Takfriri terrorist group in Iraq and in Syria.
France also says some 900 French citizens are fighting in Middle East battles and some have joined the ISIL Takfiri militants.
Around 400 Britons are believed to have gone to Syria over the last two years to engage in the foreign-backed militancy to topple the Syrian government.
Experts have also warned that up to 30 Scots have travelled to join terrorists in Syria and Iraq.
The ISIL, which controls parts of Syria, sent its fighters into neighboring Iraq in June and quickly seized large swathes of territory straddling the border between the two countries.
HN/AB
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