The German Camp: Extremists from Germany Set up Base in Syria

Local Editor

German extremists have set up their own camp in northern Syria with around 200 fighters, according to a report released on Sunday.

According to the information, the Germans are fighting against the Syrian regime with armed groups who have become more radicalized and affiliated to al-Qaeda.
Der Spiegel news magazine reported that around 200 are now in the "German Camp" or on their way there, taking a now well-worn route from Germany to Istanbul and through to the Syrian border.

Most of them come from the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, followed by Hesse, Berlin, Bavaria and Hamburg. More than half possess German citizenship. Most are in a so-called "German camp" for extremist fighters from Germany.
Some of the international militants have already fought in Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq - and therefore have very different experiences and skills.

In parallel, the Welt newspaper said that German security services are increasingly concerned about the number of extremists heading to Syria from Europe.
They fear that the fighters will return to Germany more radicalized after potentially receiving terror training from al-Qaeda and other groups in the country.

In September, Germany's domestic spy chief Hans-Georg Maassen estimated the number of German fighters in the country at 170 and said 50 had travelled in recent months.
Authorities estimated that around 1,000 militants from across Europe are currently fighting in Syria - compared to just 250 in late 2012.

European officials have warned that the influx of Europeans to Syria is increasing the threat of future terrorist attacks in Europe, noting that around a dozen militants have already returned to Germany and pose a "particular threat."
Militants from countries including the United States, Canada, France, and Britain are fighting in Syria.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team