Jihadists Step Up Recruitment Drive
In Raqqa city in northern Syria, which officials believe is ISIS's operational nerve center, foreign fighters from Asia and North Africa are arriving. Fighters who are willing to join the fight can fly to the south of Turkey, which does not to require a visa from other Muslim countries. From there, they can slip across the border into Raqqa. The new arrival fighters are confident ISIS will successfully resurrect an Islamic caliphate, or religious state. "New foreign fighters are coming in and some of them are bringing their families with them." said a Raqqa resident.
European governments estimate that at least 1,400 of their citizens are fighting in Syria, and the true numbers may be higher. The European fighters pose a threat upon their return as they are believed to be radicalized and have received combat and explosives training.
Other than recruitment, the social media is also used as a funding medium. ISIS asks followers on Twitter and Facebook for private donations. A recent tweet by an ISIS supporter Abdullah Mohisine stated: "For all of those who aren't joining jihad yet, you can perform jihad with your money.” The tweet was retweeted over 900 times, with a Turkish phone number attached for people to call.
European governments estimate that at least 1,400 of their citizens are fighting in Syria, and the true numbers may be higher. The European fighters pose a threat upon their return as they are believed to be radicalized and have received combat and explosives training.
Other than recruitment, the social media is also used as a funding medium. ISIS asks followers on Twitter and Facebook for private donations. A recent tweet by an ISIS supporter Abdullah Mohisine stated: "For all of those who aren't joining jihad yet, you can perform jihad with your money.” The tweet was retweeted over 900 times, with a Turkish phone number attached for people to call.
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