Terrorist Threat Level in Netherlands Remains "Substantial"
THE HAGUE, 02/07/13 - The level of threat in the Netherlands continues to be "substantial". This means that there is a real chance of an attack against the Netherlands, the National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTB) announced on Monday.
The main international threat with potential consequences for the Netherlands at the present time is based on the situation in Syria. "What is relevant to the potential threat for the Netherlands is the magnetic attraction of radicalised young men and the involvement of jihadist networks in Syria." The other hotbeds which hold potential consequences for the Netherlands "include Mali, Yemen, Somalia, Nigeria and Afghanistan." In addition to this, the NCTB says leftwing extremists in the Netherlands pose a threat. "There appears to be a visible hardening of attitude amongst the extremist section of the right to asylum movement." The threat based on jihadists travelling to Syria and their possible return to the Netherlands remains one of the most important elements of the current view of potential threat. "Although not all returning jihadists pose this threat, care and attention must be given to the fact that such people may return not only as radicalists, but also in a traumatised state and with a strong potential for committing violent attacks." The fast growth in jihadist traveller numbers seen earlier this year now appears to be stagnating, "with current numbers standing at between 50 and 100". The developments seen in the Netherlands are comparable with those in other western countries. |