society
May 8, 2024

Why IS wants us to suspect refugees

ZDF terrorism expert Elmar Theveßen warns: It is the goal of IS terrorists that we discriminate against Muslims and put them under suspicion for terrorist attacks. For those who feel oppressed and rejected by the majority society are more easily recruited for terrorism.

Elmar Theveßen explains IS's strategy - and where the real problem lies.

One of the assassins should be entered as a Syrian refugee to Europe. What is it?

An ID card has been found next to an assassin in Paris. With this card, a refugee is said to have registered at the beginning of October on the Greek island of Leros. There was also a registration afterwards in Serbia and then also in Croatia. The authorities have confirmed that. But you have doubts about the authenticity of this card.

Why should the IS infiltrate assassins as refugees disguised?

ISIS closely monitors the discussion about refugee flows in Europe. If it has now been proven that there are terrorists on the road, then this would lead to a strong polarization of society in Western Europe. More Muslims would feel discriminated against. There would be more willing to fight for IS, and that could be a perfidious intention.

Is not that a bit far-fetched?

We know this from the propaganda messages of the IS, and we know the rest from other terrorist organizations like Al Qaeda. We have developed strategy papers and set out to promote this polarization, because it is bringing up young people and recruiting young people who are ready to join in, because they feel oppressed in society.

So do the perpetrators grow up here in Europe?

Many of the assassins from Paris have lived in Europe for a long time. We see again, many of the perpetrators are between 20 and 30 years old. Perhaps even younger ones were brought here, who grew up here under very difficult circumstances - with high unemployment and lack of prospects. And they are willing - because they feel discriminated against in Western societies - to participate in such attacks and at IS.

How can we protect ourselves from terrorists?

Elmar Theveßen, deputy editor-in-chief and terrorism expert of ZDF

There were hundreds of fighters who had come to Syria from Western Europe and then returned without being prevented from returning. They were free to enter. This shows the real problem: there is too little evidence that they are dangerous. This is not found in the databases of the security authorities and this is especially true and especially for those who have been living here for a long time in Europe.