Dutch counter-terror unit warns that jihadism is spreading

Jihadists have been fishing in the pond of salafists and there is a dangerous mix taking place, the NCTV warned.

They noted the “non-violent spreading of a message of hatred against the West and the continuing undermining of our democratic values ​​and the rule of law”.

Although the number of ISIS-inspired attacks in Europe has declined sharply since last year, the jihadist movement in the Netherlands continues to pose a threat of violence. Moreover, the movement is growing.

NCTV estimates the number of jihad fans in the Netherlands to be a few thousand. “Around 2010 it was found that this movement did not represent that many anymore. Nobody then thought it possible that jihadism in the Netherlands would grow so strongly. ”

Dutch jihadists may be sensitive to the narrative that the West should be punished with attacks for defeating the ISIS caliphate.

The problem is also that jihadists will be released from prison in the coming years. It concerns “experienced or charismatic figures” that can shake up the jihad scene again.

A great many are still as radical as when they went into their cells. An important recruiter like Azzedine C has been on the loose for a while and Samir A has also been released for some time now without an electronic ankle strap.

The problem is equally present in neighbouring countries where the cell doors will soon swing open for many jihadists. In France in the coming years there will be 115 jihadis released and in the UK eighty people this year alone.

The NCTV also warns against misplaced naivety when recovering women and children from camps in Syria. “The mothers often pretend to be naïve victims taken by their husbands to the so-called ‘caliphate’, but they have generally consciously opted for the journey and are still hanging on to jihadism.

“In addition, ISIS has shown several terrifying videos to even minors, including young children, urging them to commit terrible acts of violence. Recently, a returnee arrested in France stated that ISIS had trained children to commit attacks in Europe. ”

Meanwhile, an Afghan asylum-seeker accused of stabbing two Americans in Amsterdam had a “terrorist motive”, Dutch prosecutors said last week.

The 19-year-old suspect was shot at Amsterdam’s Central Station. “It is apparent from his statements that he believes that in the Netherlands, the Prophet Muhammad, the Quran, Islam and Allah are repeatedly insulted,” prosecutors said, and he was targeting Geert Wilders.

Earlier Monday, German authorities said the man had applied for asylum in Germany and was not considered a security threat there.

The PVV leader responded with shock to RTL Nieuws’s message that Jawed S had shared a video on his Facebook profile just before his terrorist act. In it the flag of the Netherlands is burnt and Wilders is heavily insulted. A few days before, the man had placed an edited photo on his profile in which a knife pierced the head of Wilders.

A traveling companion of Jawed S, also an Afghan, said that he heard a few days ago about the plans to kill Wilders. “He went to the Netherlands to kill that dog.”

Duizenden jihadisten in Nederland. Die vrij rondlopen op straat. In winkelcentra, op stations en in de tram. Overal. En onze grenzen staan wagenwijd open.

Het is tijd voor grote stappen en stevige maatregelen om de islamisering en de terreurdreiging te stoppen. #stopislam https://t.co/7QR6Sn9A2C

— Geert Wilders (@geertwilderspvv) September 10, 2018