europol:IS LIKELY TO TARGET eu in nesr future
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Europol: 'IS' likely to target EU in 'near future'
Europol has said the 'Islamic State' has organized several dozen people in Europe ready to carry out terror attacks. The terror group is likely to hit soft targets to instill fear in the public.
The so-called "Islamic State" group is likely to carry out terror attacks in the European Union in the near future, Europol said in a report on Friday.
The Sunni extremist group has "both the will and the capability" to strike both soft and hard targets in Europe, especially those countries participating in the anti-IS coalition, the EU police agency said.
"EU Member States that participate in the anti-IS coalition are regarded by IS as legitimate targets," it said, pointing to particular risk in France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The report warns that as IS is weakened and defeated in Syria and Iraq, foreign fighters may return to Europe with their families, posing a long-term security challenge. "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," Europol said.
It also warned that terrorist networks or lone actors may use tactics developed in Syria and Iraq - including car bombs - to strike targets in Europe. Attacks may also involve the use of automatic rifles, bladed weapons and vehicles.
Europol said IS is likely to shift tactics to attack soft targets instead of better-protected targets like police, military and infrastructure.
"Indiscriminate attacks have a very powerful effect on the public in general, which is one of the main goals of terrorism: to seriously intimidate a population," the report said. "This preference for soft targets means that attacking critical infrastructure such as power grids, nuclear facilities and transportation hubs is currently not a priority."
cw/kl (dpa, AP, AFP)
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