The report published in Germany’s Die Welt daily cited sources in Germany’s Federal Intelligence Service (BND) as saying that the militants receive specific infiltration training focused on presenting a “classical” refugee persona to authorities and fellow refugees.
Former reports had noted that Takfiri terrorists were attempting to blend in with refugees to enter EU countries, but this is the first time reports have surfaced that they are specifically trained to do so.
“Their behavior is trained to be recognized as a refugee in the case of interrogation by police officers or asylum seeker,” said the sources.
The report notes that the militants are receiving training similar to that of special forces such as the use of credible disguises and proper behavior during interrogation and capture.
In July, Germany’s secret service warned that active terrorists or at least ISIS sympathizers may be among refugees entering the country.
The European Union has been dealing with an excessive influx of refugees in recent years, driven by war, famine, poverty and persecution. The crisis has largely divided the continent over how to deal with the situation.
Thousands of ISIS Militants to Return to Europe
Meanwhile, Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon (seen below) has warned that 3,000 and 5,000 surviving Europeans remain among ISIS’s dwindling ranks, many of whom may flee back to their countries of origin.
“ISIS is under pressure in Mosul and Raqqah. Belgian fighters are helping defend the strongholds, but we must be aware that there are not only 200 of our countrymen there, but between 3,000 and 5,000 Europeans,” he said.
After months of preparation, Iraqi army soldiers, backed by pro-government fighters from Popular Mobilization Units and Kurdish Peshmerga forces, launched an operation on October 17 to retake the strategic city of Mosul from the ISIS terrorists.
On November 6, the so-called Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced that they had started operations to capture the ISIS de facto capital Raqqah with the cooperation of the US-led coalition.
Jambon noted that intelligence agencies are monitoring the situation and exchanging information but must wait and see how many of the terrorists actually return.
“117 ISIS recruits have returned to Belgium. About half are in prison, the others under surveillance. There are also several dozen who made failed attempts to get to Syria, and we are observing them,” he added.
