Young people ‘attracted to Isis by its brutality’, says German security chief

At least 400 people from Germany are thought to have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight with Islamic extremist groups

Some young people are attracted to Isis because of its brutality, which makes it appear “more authentic” than al-Qa’ida, the head of Germany’s domestic intelligence agency said today.

“There is a link between the [Isis] successes so far in Iraq and the activities here in Germany and the propaganda and canvassing activities aimed at young jihadists,” said Hans-Georg Maassen, head of Germany’s BfV domestic intelligence agency.

“The Islamic State is, so to speak, the ‘in’ thing – much more attractive than the Jabhat al-Nursa, the al Qa’ida spin-off in Syria,” the BfV chief told Deutschlandfunk public radio. “What attracts people is the intense brutality, the radicalism and rigour,” he said.

At least 400 people from Germany have gone to Syria and Iraq to fight with Islamic extremist groups, Mr Maassen said.

In pictures: The rise of Isis

 

“We have to assume... that there may well be people who return and commit attacks,” he added.

REUTERS/AP