This map shows ISIS'(ICIA) expanding reach across Europe
Pamela Engel
BusinessInsider.com
Dec. 7, 2015
As ISIS loses ground in the Middle East, it has mounted attacks in Europe to convince the world of its strength, experts say.
But ISIS activity in Europe hasn’t all been recent; the terrorist group (also known as the Islamic State, ISIL, and Daesh) has long had its sights set on Europe as a recruiting ground and target of attacks.
A new map from the Institute for the Study of War tracks where ISIS has hit, where its plots have been thwarted, where its supporters have been arrested, and where the group has targeted recruits.
The ISW notes that ISIS is “executing a campaign to terrorize and polarize Europe” and that the group has “inspired, resourced, and directed attempted and successful attacks in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Bosnia, Kosovo, and Turkey since January 2014.”
“ISIS aims to punish countries acting against it in Iraq and Syria,” ISW notes. “It also seeks to polarize the West by inspiring state and social backlash against European Muslim communities. ISIS believes increased cultural strife will destabilize Europe and encourage Muslims to join it in Iraq and Syria.”
ISIS has an extensive network of recruiters and supporters throughout Europe. These recruiters operate on social media and through in-person meetings to persuade Westerners to migrate to ISIS territory in Iraq and Syria. ISIS also releases propaganda aimed at Western audiences to encourage supporters to attack Europe and the US even without any communication with core ISIS leaders. These calls to action have resulted in several successful attacks.
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