By Ethar Abdulhaq
(Zaman Al Wasl)- With the recent Paris attack, the title of “Belgian [al-Belgiki]” has taken huge space in newspapers and on television screens. The attack comes to reaffirm theories that Belgium is the hotspot and corridor for all European jihadists. It comes to confirm that the Islamic State continues to operate in Europe as much as Syria or Iraq.
The recent Paris attack was not as bloody and extensive as previous Islamic State attacks, but its anticipated effects are great. The attack comes a few days before the start of voting for the French presidential elections. The far right in France under Marin Lupine will play on the attack in a bid to gain votes amid rising security concerns.
The Islamic State revealed the identity of the perpetrator as Abu Yousef al-Belgiki (of Belgium) shedding more light on Belgium’s position as a source and exporter of hundreds of jihadists, and the Belgian security authorities’ failure to effectively monitor and arrest extremists.
Leaked Islamic State documents obtained by Zaman al-Wasl show that the hundreds of fighters who joined the Islamic State in Syria have Belgium citizenship, Belgium residency, or have previously visited Belgium, and that the majority of them are of North African origin.
In March 2016 alone, Zaman al-Wasl reported that at least 13 Belgian jihadists joined the Islamic State forces between 2013-2014.
Among the leaked documents, is a conscription document for a said Abu Yusuf al-Balgiki. It is not clear if he is the same person the Islamic State declared as the perpetrator of the recent Paris attack. However, Zaman al-Wasl had previously published that a man by that title holding Belgian citizenship was listed as a member of the Islamic State.
The document from the Islamic State’s General Border Directorate reveals that Abu Yousuf al-Belgiki’s real name is B.P.M. (Zaman al-Wasl retains the right to not disclose the full name). He was born in 1973 of Moroccan origins and holds Belgian citizenship. He is married with children.
Abu Yousuf entered Syria from Al-Rae border crossing (Aleppo countryside) almost three years ago, where someone known as Abu Aweis al-Maghribi vouched for his character and suitability. According to his conscription documents, he was registered on the “martyrs” list which is a term the Islamic State apply to suicide bombers who intend to use explosive belts or car bombs. Al-Belgiki worked as an electrician before joining the Islamic State, and his conscription file included two contact phone numbers in the event of an emergency and especially if he is killed.
-The Hotspot-
According to official estimates and specialized research centers, Belgium has between 450 and 600 jihadists which is a huge figure for a country of nearly 12 million. It means there are 50 jihadists for every million of the population.
The rampant poverty, unemployment and isolation in Belgium's immigrant neighborhoods may be key factors leading many to turn to extremism. However, the Belgian security services’ ineffectiveness and negligence in monitoring and prosecuting criminal suspects is a key factor in the Islamic State’s expanding operations and Belgium’s role as an exporter of jihadists. Many researchers examining issues of extremism and even some intelligence service men around the world agree that the security services’ role is a principle factor in the Islamic State members’ abilities to perpetrate attacks in Europe.
The failure of the Belgian intelligence may be due to the country’s circumstances and the divisions among the population where there are linguistic and identity distinctions. The separation between Dutch and Flemish speakers enters into all aspects of life.
It appears that the divisions also affect the police and intelligence services where the linguistic barriers increase the complexity of administrative procedures, the distance between departments and the low level of coordination between the six different local police departments and the federal police service located in Brussels.
The Belgian intelligence’s inefficacy comes at a time Associated Press had reported that the Islamic State has trained at least 400 jihadists to perpetrate attacks in Europe. The declaring the recent Paris attacker as a member of the Islamic State forces, the Islamic State is demonstrating that while it loses ground in Syria, it is still able to operate in Europe.
(Zaman Al Wasl)- With the recent Paris attack, the title of “Belgian [al-Belgiki]” has taken huge space in newspapers and on television screens. The attack comes to reaffirm theories that Belgium is the hotspot and corridor for all European jihadists. It comes to confirm that the Islamic State continues to operate in Europe as much as Syria or Iraq.
The recent Paris attack was not as bloody and extensive as previous Islamic State attacks, but its anticipated effects are great. The attack comes a few days before the start of voting for the French presidential elections. The far right in France under Marin Lupine will play on the attack in a bid to gain votes amid rising security concerns.
The Islamic State revealed the identity of the perpetrator as Abu Yousef al-Belgiki (of Belgium) shedding more light on Belgium’s position as a source and exporter of hundreds of jihadists, and the Belgian security authorities’ failure to effectively monitor and arrest extremists.
Leaked Islamic State documents obtained by Zaman al-Wasl show that the hundreds of fighters who joined the Islamic State in Syria have Belgium citizenship, Belgium residency, or have previously visited Belgium, and that the majority of them are of North African origin.
In March 2016 alone, Zaman al-Wasl reported that at least 13 Belgian jihadists joined the Islamic State forces between 2013-2014.
Among the leaked documents, is a conscription document for a said Abu Yusuf al-Balgiki. It is not clear if he is the same person the Islamic State declared as the perpetrator of the recent Paris attack. However, Zaman al-Wasl had previously published that a man by that title holding Belgian citizenship was listed as a member of the Islamic State.
The document from the Islamic State’s General Border Directorate reveals that Abu Yousuf al-Belgiki’s real name is B.P.M. (Zaman al-Wasl retains the right to not disclose the full name). He was born in 1973 of Moroccan origins and holds Belgian citizenship. He is married with children.
Abu Yousuf entered Syria from Al-Rae border crossing (Aleppo countryside) almost three years ago, where someone known as Abu Aweis al-Maghribi vouched for his character and suitability. According to his conscription documents, he was registered on the “martyrs” list which is a term the Islamic State apply to suicide bombers who intend to use explosive belts or car bombs. Al-Belgiki worked as an electrician before joining the Islamic State, and his conscription file included two contact phone numbers in the event of an emergency and especially if he is killed.
-The Hotspot-
According to official estimates and specialized research centers, Belgium has between 450 and 600 jihadists which is a huge figure for a country of nearly 12 million. It means there are 50 jihadists for every million of the population.
The rampant poverty, unemployment and isolation in Belgium's immigrant neighborhoods may be key factors leading many to turn to extremism. However, the Belgian security services’ ineffectiveness and negligence in monitoring and prosecuting criminal suspects is a key factor in the Islamic State’s expanding operations and Belgium’s role as an exporter of jihadists. Many researchers examining issues of extremism and even some intelligence service men around the world agree that the security services’ role is a principle factor in the Islamic State members’ abilities to perpetrate attacks in Europe.
The failure of the Belgian intelligence may be due to the country’s circumstances and the divisions among the population where there are linguistic and identity distinctions. The separation between Dutch and Flemish speakers enters into all aspects of life.
It appears that the divisions also affect the police and intelligence services where the linguistic barriers increase the complexity of administrative procedures, the distance between departments and the low level of coordination between the six different local police departments and the federal police service located in Brussels.
The Belgian intelligence’s inefficacy comes at a time Associated Press had reported that the Islamic State has trained at least 400 jihadists to perpetrate attacks in Europe. The declaring the recent Paris attacker as a member of the Islamic State forces, the Islamic State is demonstrating that while it loses ground in Syria, it is still able to operate in Europe.
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At least 122 documents of fighters from around the world who they wanted to carry out suicide attacks. To download the lists Here
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