The Swedish Security Service (Säpo) has announced that at least one hundred Swedish nationals have joined the ranks of the ISIL Takfiri militant group, are fighting alongside the terrorists in Syria and neighboring Iraq.
"We have seen an increasing number of young Swedes travelling to Syria, where they go and get training in training camps. They learn to become terrorists, handle explosives and handle weapons," Säpo Director General, Anders Thornberg, said on Wednesday.
He further noted that the number of confirmed cases of Swedes fighting alongside ISIL militants is growing rapidly, and the figure has shown a growth of eight people compared to 92 cases registered a week ago.
Earlier this week, Swedish Minister for Justice and Migration Morgan Johansson said the government is planning to present a bill that would criminalize Swedes, who have taken part in training with or fighting for terror networks.
According to an October report by the UN Security Council, 15,000 foreigners have flocked to Syria and Iraq to fight alongside the ISIL or other terrorist groups.
European countries, including Sweden, have repeatedly expressed concern over the ISIL’s influence across the continent. Authorities fear that the European militants will use their combat skills against their countries upon returning home.
ISIL controls some parts of Iraq and Syria. The terrorists have been carrying out horrific acts of violence, including public decapitations, against all Iraqi and Syrian communities such as Shias, Sunnis, Kurds, and Christians.
Iraqi soldiers, police units, Kurdish forces, Shia volunteers and Sunni tribesmen have recently succeeded in driving ISIL out of some areas in Iraq. Syrian government forces have also retaken full control of several districts from the Takfiri terrorists.
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