The recent reverse flow of foreign terrorist fighters (ACPSS), Cairo al-Ahram CenterforPolitical andStrategicStudies Acting HeadofSecurityandMilitaryStudiesUnit, Expert inRegionalSecurity Ragab Eman Dr of Security Challenges They Are Posing? Returning Foreign Terrorists: What Type Violent Extremism 4 3 2 1 armed conflict in without obtaining permission from any official domestic authorities. and the Maghreb, and western Europe (Chart 1). (Chart Europe western and Maghreb, the and East Middle the Republics, Soviet former from ed thatreported the number largest of fighters originat Group Soufan The 120 from countries. terrorists eign for 42,000 than more counted RAN Network ness 2017, of end the Until Aware tries. Radicalization the originatedrest and Western from European coun 11,000 20,730 of the atotal of out fighters; fighters was East Middle the from terrorists foreign of count (CSR) Violence Political and Radicalization of Study the for 2015, Institute January International til the and other terrorist organizations in Syria and Iraq. Un number of foreign terrorist fighters who joined ISIS the of light in justified be can perceptions These are more than other countries. statement that with agreeing and Morocco ria, Alge Tunisia, from respondents of number The ism. extrem by violent posed threat biggest the senting both regions agree that foreign terrorists are repre 61% of from average an Actors, respondents of and to 2017 the Experts of cording Survey Euromed Ac well. as East Middle the in but Europe in only not circles policy and academic dominating is ISIS of defeat declared the following Iraq and Syria of out celona, Decembercelona, 2017, p.93 Richard Maja the in part take to countries their leave to themselves by decided that individuals non-Syrian as context this in defined are fighters Foreign , European Institute of the Mediterranean, Bar Mediterranean, the of Institute , European region Mediterranean Euro the in Extremism Violent Actor: and Experts of Survey Med Euro T ouzari B arrett

G reenwood , “Beyond The Caliphate: Foreign Fighters and the Threat of Returnees,” The Soufan Center, October 2017, October p.17 Center, Soufan The Returnees,” of Threat the and Fighters Foreign Caliphate: The , “Beyond Connections: The Quarterly Journal Connections: The Quarterly Fighters,” Foreign al-Qaeda’s and State . “Islamic 2

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the balance between controlling the flow of terror of flow the controlling between balance the by ISIS, inspired terrorism local/homegrown flow: by that posed challenges three examines section second The zone. conflict to or another country, to athird moving include which countries, home destinations for foreign terrorists, other than their two identifies and Syria, of out terrorists foreign of flow recent the to map attempts section first The sections. into two divided is article the Accordingly, life. anew to start country third to a leaving or zone, conflict to another by ISIS sent which include leavingregional security or being and to national challenges other raise that flow that of aspects other are there that argues article This structions.” in for waiting without means, whatever with and could, they wherever enemy the to attack liphate ca the join not could 2014 who supporters “all for al-Adnani’s Muhammad Abu in call September very high-rankingvery officers. or middle- or soldiers foot as acted them of some as experience, fighting varying with organization, the of 2014 50% since around ISIS represents joined who theatres of action theatres new of creation the on based is which panding,’ ex and ‘remaining of strategy by ISIS’ inspired ‘returnees.’ the as known countries, to home flow reverse the is flow, that of which pect as one on focusing is of Battle the lowing fol terrorists foreign of flow recent the to counter done being efforts the of most that noticeable is It It is estimated that the cohort of foreign terrorists terrorists foreign of cohort the that estimated is It 4 guided by spokesman ISIS 3 , 16, no. 1,2017,16, no. 87-97 pp. This is aspect ------

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 87 Violent Extremism Keys IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 88 Violent Extremism Keys ed 30% of all foreign fighters, foreign all of 30% ed represent countries home to their back toed return that the percentage of foreign terrorists who decid- 2017, July until up (RAN), Network ness reported institutions.and Aware The Radicalization security makers to policy misleading be could assumption this that argues However, paper this circles. policy and academic many in discussions the dominating is countries home to their return will ISIS to join left who those that assumption the that obvious is It yet. have returned not therefore and tries, coun home their than other a country for Iraq and Syria left terrorists foreign the that to fact the due or data that sharing from refrain countries cause be either Mosul, and al-Raqqa of battles the after Iraq and Syria left who terrorists foreign of number the on information of to lack the due task academic a challenging is East Middle the in zones conflict the from returning terrorists of flow the Examining Terrorist Fighters Foreign of Flow Reverse the Mapping returnees. of rehabilitation and gration reinte the and rights, refugees’ protecting and ists Source: The Phenomenon of in Fighters Foreign a Perspective Comparative 6 5

CHART 1 CHART R R agab adicalization B arrett , Eman The Soufan Center, 2017. Center, Soufan The Returnees, of Threat the and Fighters Foreign Caliphate: the Beyond , R. . “The Middle East & Foreign Fighters in Syria: Cases of Egypt and the GCC Countries,” in: Kacper Kacper in: Countries,” GCC the and Egypt of Cases Syria: in Fighters &Foreign East Middle “The A wareness Foreign Fighters by Region by Fighters Foreign 5,356 N etwork 5,778 (RAN). “Responses to returnees: Foreign terrorist fighters and their families,” RAN Manual families,” their and fighters terrorist Foreign returnees: to “Responses (RAN). 1,568 5 leaving 70% of the the 70% of leaving 845 444 7,054 - - - - - , Netherlands: IOS Press, 2017. Press, IOS , Netherlands: 8,717 a. a. lows: three trajectories taken by foreign terrorists as fol- identifies data open-source on paper,based This returnees. of number highest the of destination the be will ISIS to join terrorists foreign of number highest the of source the was that country the that case the necessarily not is it Also, fate. to unknown an and home returning not fighters

Yemen and later went on to Syria. 2012 in sons two her with for Arabia Saudi by al-Yehia, Wafaa taken was route left she as same The ISIS. to join to moved Syria later and 2014, March in Yemen for son her left with eesh instance, the female Saudi fighter Reem al-Jer For versa. vice and region Yemen, Sahel the and Sinai, North Libya, in zones conflict to other Iraq and to Syria of move out decided fighters eign some zone: for conflict another to Moving sar al-Islam’ in the Western Desert and man and Desert Western the in al-Islam’ sar Egypt to establish the terrorist organization ‘An into border the crossed colleagues, his with heem alMismary, the Libyan terrorist, together 2018.’ Sinai ‘Operation the Abdelra of part as Sinai North in terrorists foreign many of arrest the Egyptian official army spokesman stated the North America Balkans South andEastAsia Maghreb Western Europe Middle East Former SovietRepublics R ekawek Not Only Syria? Syria? Only . Not 6 Moreover, Moreover, , July 2017., July - - - - - c. b. Source: Richard Richard Source: USA UK Tunisia Tajikistan Sweden Sudan Spain Saudi Arabia Switzerland Norway Netherlands Morocco Malaysia Kyrgyzstan Kosovo Georgia France Indonesia Jordan Italy Israel (Palestinian Territories) Finland Denmark Central Asia Canada Western Balkans Austria Bosnia Belgium Australia Algeria Country Afghanistan TABLE 3 TABLE security of thesecurity countries. receiving national the on impact clear to its due makers policy and academics of attention the drawing one the is terrorists foreign of category this countries home back their to Returning fighters. of gory cate this for destinations preferred the are Iraq and to Syria countries Neighbouring processes. rorists are going through self deradicalization ter foreign these of Most country. to a third ling trave through life anew to start decided rorists some foreign ter country: athird to Moving 2017. October in al-Wahat Bahariya al in attack aterrorist out carry and to plan aged B arrett Beyond The Caliphate: Foreign Fighters and the Threat of Returnees of Threat the and Fighters Foreign Caliphate: The . Beyond Number of Returned Fighters , The Soufan Center, October 2017 ,pp.12-13. October Center, Soufan , The - - - - : Foreign Fighters ~3,000 >5,000 through Sudan, in the case of African and North Afri North and African of case the in Sudan, through and countries, European of case the in countries, home their reaching Turkey there, with from ders and, bor the to cross managed and al-Raqqa, in allies cal lo their and Russia, US, by the enforced ceasefires the during Syria left fighters returning those of Most left. who terrorists foreign of number total the of half to closer was Kingdom United the and Sweden mark, to Den back returned who terrorists of number the 3, Table in indicated As report. to same the according received the highest numbers of returning terrorists Asia Central and Arabia Saudi Tunisia, home. turned re had countries 35 from residents or citizens 4,594 2017 October in reported that Group Soufan The 3,244 1,300 2,926 1,660 ~600 ~850 ~300 >500 3,417 1,910 ~528 >200 >915 ~185 ~150 <129 >165 >145 ~ 70 ~ >80 900 204 280 296 248 170 317 110 90 60 91 Returned Fighters ~500 ~300 >800 ~425 >250 >123 ~60 ~43 >44 >30 <50 <50 400 <10 302 236 250 760 106 120 147 117 >2 30 90 50 40 46 87 67 13 14 7 8 - - - - -

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 89 Violent Extremism Keys IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 90 Violent Extremism Keys raqqas_dirty_secret 13 November, 201713 November, on reported 2). BBC The (See Chart countries can 2017. July https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/ran_br_a4_m10_en.pdf families. their and fighters terrorist Foreign returnees: to Responses Manual RAN Source: 7 turn due to family pressure.” pressure.” to family due turn re Some families. by their rescued and free bought have been women afew instances, In support. family and treatment medical for back come others killed; was husband their after or oppression, and are disillusioned after their experience of hardship some reasons: several of acombination or one for EU the within countries home to their return often returnees “Female that reported RAN victims. risk low- as returnees female consider scholars Many control. their tain main can they whom through informants, as dren chil uses it and life, anormal with fighters male its to provide women on relies ISIS there. born children and women also but fighters, male only not are ia, Syr of out moving those that mentioning worth is It $1,500of afamily. for aminimum and person per $600 of acost bears trip latter This Turkey smugglers. of help through the with country the of out or to Idlib fled then They fighters. ISIS and latter the between reached deals through and (SDF), Forces Democratic Syrian ally, the local its and US the of gaze the under al-Raqqa of out Quentin CHART 2 CHART S ommerville Return Pathways Return and Riam 7 , that foreign terrorists moved D alati BBC News BBC Secret,” Dirty . “Raqqa’s - - - - rogation, but their fate is not known. not fate is their but rogation, inter initial for Raqqa outside prison al-Hawa Hawi group of foreign terrorists were in imprisoned the Another al-Raqqa. in families and fighters 600 or ber, 2017, 500 about killed strike air aone-day that 11 on reported BBC Octo The confrontations. tary mili in killed have been them of some hand, one the On Syria. of out moving than other fates perience may ex terrorists foreign that mentioning worth is It returnee. by ISIS any out carried or planned being tack at terrorist any in part take could they bombers, cide recruiters,preachers, soldiers, executioners, or sui spies, as serve then will who children gives ISIS education 9-15. religious the aged mind in Bearing boys 2,000 than more trained and recruited had ISIS 2016, until up that reported Group Soufan The ISIS. foreign terrorist families in territories controlled by to born have or been parents, the of one or both with to moved Syria either are they children, of case the In 2016. October in Morocco in authorities the by 10 of dismantled group was women cruitment a re instance, For threat. that have encountered countries Many recruiters. as to or act countries, home their in attacks out to carry decided they if a threat to pose likely are However,returnees female , 13 November, 2017:, 13 November, www..co.uk/news/resources/idt-sh/

------have been freed from al-Raqqa. and (SDF) Forces Democratic to Syrian the dered 2017,ber surren 275 fighters at Syrian least that The Iraq. and Syria in to stay decided countries, Arab from originating those especially them, of some hand, other the On 11 10 9 8 thorities, either ended up becoming local fighters, fighters, local becoming up ended either thorities, au by national noticed or arrested being without countries home to their to back go Iraq and Syria to leave managed who terrorists foreign the of Some Terrorism by ISIS Inspired Local/Homegrown Europe. in to those also but East Middle the in to countries only not fighters foreign of ment move by the posed be could that challenges and issues security general the are section this in tioned men is what information, this of to lack the due But cal drivers ....). vation (humanitarian joining ideologi reasons, ISIS moti their and background, ...), criminal leaders ers, (front-line fight ISIS in role their qualifications, their of terms in terrorists, foreign those of profiles the ing examiningThus, requires these challenges analyz cant terrorist attacks in new places. signifi out to carry terrorists these of capabilities by the defined are challenges future state,’the as ‘Caliphate the of to replica the confined not are that challenges many posing is Syria, of out rorists ter foreign of flow recent the that argues paper This and Challenges Issues Turkey, istan, UK. the and Tajik Sweden, Sudan, Spain, Norway, Netherlands, Kosovo,Jordan, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Malaysia, Denmark, Canada, Bosnia, Belgium, Austria, tralia, Aus of citizens are They reasons. religious for ISIS joined who to those be likely more are they and Iraq, eign terrorists who decided to remain in Syria and for are there that reported also Group Soufan The Ezzor. Deir like cities Syrian other in active groups militant other to or join life anew to begin likely Eman Eman Robert “Islamic State returnees pose threat to Europe,” IHS Jane’s Military & Security Assessments Intelligence Centre, 2017, Centre, p.4. Intelligence Assessments &Security Military Jane’s IHS Europe,” to threat pose returnees State “Islamic Eman Eman R R F agab agab isk . “Isis has lost Raqqa – so where will its fighters head to next?”, The Independent next?”, to head fighters its will where –so Raqqa lost has . “Isis . “The Middle East & Foreign Fighters in Syria: Cases of Egypt and the GCC Countries,” Op.Cit. Countries,” GCC the and Egypt of Cases Syria: in Fighters &Foreign East Middle . “The . “Counter-Terrorism 2016. Policies in October Egypt: 30, Effectiveness and Challenges,” number Euromesco, Paper Papers 8 reported, in Octo reported, Those fighters are are fighters Those ------through social media platforms. through media social or communication face-to-face using cell cruitment are as acting were or attack, aterrorist out carry to planning were or out carried either which Egypt, Upper in governorates many in by ISIS inspired 2016 2017, and cells small of anumber to dismantle in managed, authorities Egyptian Syria. in were who terrorists foreign and Egyptian both for appealing is Egypt in Sinai North in al-Maqdis beit Ansar Also, turn to their home countries within the EU for one or or one for EU the within countries home to their turn re often returnees “Female that reported RAN tims. scholars consider female returnees as low-risk vic is crucial in the discussion of this challenge. Many returnees children and women of role the Besides, plan and carry out attacks. out carry and plan to likely are 270 around that militants means Europe, to returned who fighters European 5,000 around to the ratio same the Applying West. the in tacks Western foreign terrorists returned to conduct at nine and one 2010and between only that found and 1990 between data analyzed Hegghammer Thomas citizens. Belgian two with along ia, Syr from terrorists foreign by returning formed was that by acell out carried were underground, the and airport 2016, the 22 targeted on March, tacks which at Brussels the instance, For countries. ropean by Eu encountered been has challenge same The his release. after Arabia to Saudi returned and forces Iraqi the by arrested was who Iraq from fighters returning the of one was al-Dhefr Marwan programme. calization ha programme, the national deradi prison-based al-Monasa the from graduates were three other the and Syria, from areturnee 2014. is ber Al-Maimoony 3Novem on al-Daloh in mosque Shiite the on tack at the out carrying for detained nationals Saudi four zy, Abdullah al-Sarhan al-Dhefr and are Marwan al-An Kahled Tareq al-Maimoony, instance For Iraq. and Syria from terrorists by returning out carried Saudi has Arabia witnessed many terrorist attacks evidence. of lack the to due release early an gets usually he/she returnee, a suspected authorities the Even if fundraisers. local as acting or networks, recruiting local establishing 9 , 16 October, 2017., 16 October, 11 10

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IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 91 Violent Extremism Keys IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 92 Violent Extremism Keys are some French brothers from our group who left left who group our from brothers French some are “There instructions: ISIS’ following to France back 2017, in report BBC return their that mentioned by a quoted fighter ISIS French ayoung Faransy, al- Basir Abu returnees. by told European stories by the bolstered being are stances negative Such pressure. great under authorities national their place ple Republic, Hungary and Portugal, Hungary Republic, stances towards refugees, especially in the Czech the public opinion in Europe holds suspicious as problematic is balance this Reaching city. pean aEuro to enter trying terrorists to ISIS opportunity that avoid giving time, same at the and, life, new a to start refugees Syrian for opportunity an viding pro between abalance to how of reach challenge the against up coming are countries European Rights Refugees’ Protecting and Terrorists of Flow the Controlling between Balance returnee. ISIS by any out carried or planned being attack rorist ter any in part take could they bombers, suicide or recruiters, preachers, spies, soldiers, executioners, as serve then will who children gives ISIS education 9-15. religious the aged boys mind in 2,000 Bearing than more trained and 2016, recruited until had ISIS up that reported Group Soufan The by ISIS. trolled toborn foreign terrorist families in territories con have or been parents, the of one or both with Syria to moved have they either children, of case the In 2016. October in Morocco in authorities the by 10 of dismantled group was women cruitment a re instance, For threat. that have encountered countries Many recruiters. as to or act countries, home their in attacks out to carry decided they if a threat to pose likely are However,returnees female to family pressure.” due return Some families. by their rescued and free bought have been women afew instances, In port. sup family and treatment medical for back come others killed; was husband their after or pression, op and hardship of experience their after sioned a combination of several reasons: some are disillu- 13 12 512, 2017, p.9. Helen Richard D empster B arrett and Karen Karen and . Op.Cit . , p.23 H argrave , “Understanding public attitudes towards refugees and migrants,” Chatham House, Working paper House, Chatham migrants,” and refugees towards attitudes public , “Understanding 12 where the peo ------called a‘day reckoning.’” of called be would what in attacks out to carry France for is very important. Some countries in Europe are are Europe in countries Some important. very is to life anew live willing are who fighters female and radicalization programme for those returning male The availability of a well-designed rehabilitation /de life. to anormal live willing are who terrorists, low-risk and high-risk returnees and those foreign returning both to disengage tools effective enforcement institutions with the appropriate and law to equip need governments hand, other the On ‘caliphate’ ideals. to the commitment have a deep and reasons logical ideo for ISIS joined who females European report, its in out pointed RAN as especially, children, their to radicalize likely still are they into society, tegrate granted by the their opportunity government to rein were who returnees female low-risk of case the In norms. EU with ideological indoctrination and make them familiar their to how change and abroad, out have carried may they action terrorist any for responsible children these to how of hold issues the encounter they Also, ments. docu identification have not official do them of most as achallenge, is nationality and parenthood proving territories, ISIS-controlled in born were who those especially returnees, children of case the in hand, one On countries. receiving the for challenge fold atwo- tow, in creates this families their with but alone, Iraq and Syria leaving not are terrorists foreign the As Reintegration and Rehabilitation theaters. European new in attacks out ry car and plan would who terrorists returning ropean Eu and countries third of by foreigners created be to likely more is radar. It European the outside ated cre be could networks inspired However, ISIS new and controls. checks the needed enhanced has Europol and Frontex Also into Europe. Greece from routes migrant the to close key, managed and Tur with agreement an reached countries ropean Eu The refugees. of flow the to restrict have tended European policies in response to those stances 13 ------

proach,’ and the Dutch reintegration initiative. proach,’ reintegration Dutch the and ‘Aarhus ap Danish the Germany, and Sweden such the as EXIT-programmes adopted in Norway, Europe northwest in found are programmes these more of interested Most in programmes. standalone are others programmes, deradicalization and tions dedicating resources for interven prison-based 14 rorists. Also, Turkey is keen on sharing its data on on data its Turkey Also, sharing on keen is rorists. ter foreign of movement the detecting in countries Sahel other and Chad of resilience the strengthen to trying are instance, for Morocco, and Egypt coordination and cooperation mechanisms. regional strong time, same at the and, challenges three the of each of developments future the seeing quires resilient national institutions of fore capable re challenges these to counter policies Developing Conclusion turnees. the topic of and radicalization foreign terrorist re around and polarization communities, of Muslim ‘targeting’ the preventing for platforms as act nars and organizations. community-based semi These ent public sectors, religious NGOs, communities which bring together representatives from differ level,local are organized seminars community At the society. in returnees of resocialization the to keen facilitate are Finland, like countries, Other 2016. Bart Bart S c h uurman and Liesbeth van

der H eide RAN ISSUE PAPER ISSUE RAN challenge,” reintegration the and returnees fighter . “Foreign 14

------of foreign terrorists remains crucial. cohort that attracting in successful so was ISIS why to study Europe and East Middle the in institutions Finally, directing to resources encourage research Europe. and East Middle the in zones conflict tween among terrorists created by their movement be network atransnational of development the tect de could that system warning early an to develop aneed still is there level, regional at the addition, In enhanced. to be needs neighbourhood the in living returnee a by having posed be could that threats the of level local at the awareness the Also, countries. many in progress in awork still is trial on put or arrested ees return any for regime detention adequate an Having unanswered. still is returnees children and female, male, with to how of deal question The level. tional na at the made to be needs However, effort more turnees. by re posed threats prevent and to contain rope resilience of state institutions and civil society in Eu are developing customized tools to strengthen the organizations European other and RAN addition, In Eastern countries. Middle with information of sharing the to enhance countries European encouraging is it and to Europe, refugees of flow the Turkeywith to restrict order in deal aforementioned the to reach managed EU The countries. concerned listed foreign terrorists crossing its borders with , November , November ------

IEMed. Mediterranean Yearbook 2018 93 Violent Extremism Keys