France has a problem with returning Daesh extremists

The defeat of Daesh in Raqqa has made it imperative for states to reinforce security measures on their borders in order to prevent infiltration of extremists fleeing Syria and Iraq. Foreign fighters in Syria are estimated at around 60,000.

France in particular is worried about the return of the 500 French extremists (470 have origins in North Africa while 30 are what the DCRI (Central Directorate of Interior Intelligence) call “Français de souche”, native born French people.

These returnees represent a real problem to the French government as unlike Great Britain, there is no law in France to reintegrate these French citizens in society.

While extremists proven guilty of having collaborated in perpetrating attacks on French soil will be condemned, the remaining 500 militants will be under surveillance with the freedom to move around in France and Europe without restrictions.

Until now, only 10 to 15 per cent of these militants have returned to France, as it is getting more and more complicated for them to get back to their country due to the deal by Turkey and Russia which forbids these fighters to travel from its territory.

Most of these fighters are being smuggled through Lebanon and travel by sea to their countries. French citizens who never fought in Syria or other countries could also perpetrate attacks in France. These lone wolves are as dangerous as any extremist and sometimes even more dangerous as they are not placed under surveillance.

Extremists from Libya are another concern after France’s decision to reinforce troops in countries like Mali, Congo, Abidjan and Burkina Faso. The country had also accepted about 160 million euros to fund her troops in these countries. Militants who have joined their brothers in Libya could already be planning a fresh wave of terror attacks against France to revenge these African Muslim countries.

Added to this is the threat from the Libyan wing of Daesh along Egypt’s Sinai and Afghanistan wings which are among the most active groups now.

After losing important territories, the Daesh leadership will do everything in its power to support these wings and the foreign fighters who have returned to their respective ‘homes’ to keep the brand alive. And as usual, their trademark will be “terror”.

According to a French security source, US President Donald Trump’s decision to move the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem has made France and the United States more vulnerable to attacks than any other country.

Russia at the same time is discontent with the 1100 Checheni militants who will return home. The exchange of information between the European secret services and Russia depends on several factors, the first being political. Russia wants to show the world that it is the winner as far as Syria is concerned.

It helped establish a new constitution in Syria and prepare for new elections, with Assad being the obvious candidate. Moreover, Europe would want Russia to collaborate with them and handover the names of the foreign fighters who might be of danger to Europe.

Europe has yet another problem to worry about. If the refugees are not provided work and quality of life, there are chances that they might become vulnerable to radicalisation. Christiane Waked was a former Press Attaché

of the French Embassy to the UAE and has worked as linguist and analyst in the French

Interior Ministry

French citizens who never fought in Syria or other countries could also perpetrate attacks in France These lone wolves are as dangerous as any extremist and sometimes even more dangerous as they are not placed under surveillance

After losing important territories, the Daesh leadership will do everything in its power to support these wings and foreign fighters who have returned to their respective ‘homes’ to keep the brand alive