US Security Officials Concerned over American Extremist “Fighters” in Syria

US security officials warn of the threat coming from American citizens fighting alongside the so-called “jihadist” groups in Syria and might return to the US radicalized, experienced and ready to attack, According to RT.

The latest estimates by the British defense consultant, IHS Jane’s, and cited by AP put the number of US fighters who have traveled to Syria to support the armed terrorist groups at a couple of dozen. US security officials are far from underestimating the potential risks they represent.

“We know that American citizens as well as Canadian and European nationals have taken up arms in Syria, Yemen and in Somalia. The threat that these individuals could return home to carry out attacks is real and troubling,” said Senator Thomas Carper at a Senate homeland security committee hearing in November.

The concern was shared by Matthew G. Olsen, who heads the “National Counterterrorism Center”.

 “Many extremists lack advanced operational training, which forces them to seek assistance online from like-minded extremists or pursue travel to overseas battlegrounds to receive hands-on experience”, said Olsen.

The issue was first brought up in August by the then FBI Director Robert Mueller and appears to be still high on the agenda.

This year, at least three Americans have been charged with planning to fight beside Al-Qaeda linked extremist groups.

H. Mustafa