Germany: Numbers of extremists heading to Syria, Iraq grows

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency says the number of Islamic extremists heading to Syria and Iraq continues to grow. (Representational Photo)

Germany’s domestic intelligence agency says the number of Islamic extremists heading to Syria and Iraq continues to grow, raising concerns over trained fighters returning who could carry out attacks in Europe.

The agency said on Wednesday its latest evidence shows 790 people so far have made the trip from Germany to link up with militant groups in the Mideast, up from 750 in October, and about one-third had returned.

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Agency head Hans-Georg Maassen says “the security situation is serious.”

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Germany so far has been spared mass-casualty attacks by Islamic extremists such as the Nov. 13 Paris attacks but security officials say it is also a target.

All but two of the Paris attackers were from Belgium or France and French authorities maintain the attacks were planned in Syria.