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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Islamic State crisis: 'More than 3,000' Europeans join IS | Islamic State crisis: 'More than 3,000' Europeans join IS |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The number of Europeans joining Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq has risen to more than 3,000, the EU's anti-terrorism chief has told the BBC. | The number of Europeans joining Islamist fighters in Syria and Iraq has risen to more than 3,000, the EU's anti-terrorism chief has told the BBC. |
| Gilles de Kerchove also warned that Western air strikes would increase the risk of retaliatory attacks in Europe. | Gilles de Kerchove also warned that Western air strikes would increase the risk of retaliatory attacks in Europe. |
| US-led forces have launched nearly 200 air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq since August and on Monday began targeting IS in Syria. | US-led forces have launched nearly 200 air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq since August and on Monday began targeting IS in Syria. |
| The UK parliament is due to vote on possible air strikes in Iraq on Friday. | The UK parliament is due to vote on possible air strikes in Iraq on Friday. |
| IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months. | IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months. |
| Mr de Kerchove said the number of 3,000 included all those who have been to the region, including those who have returned and those who have been killed there. | Mr de Kerchove said the number of 3,000 included all those who have been to the region, including those who have returned and those who have been killed there. |
| The CIA estimates that IS may have up to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria - three times as many as previously feared. | The CIA estimates that IS may have up to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria - three times as many as previously feared. |
| Mr de Kerchove said that Islamic State's declaration of a caliphate in June may have played a role in drawing more support from Europe. | Mr de Kerchove said that Islamic State's declaration of a caliphate in June may have played a role in drawing more support from Europe. |
| "If you believe in this, probably you want to be part of it as early as possible," he said. | "If you believe in this, probably you want to be part of it as early as possible," he said. |
| He warned that air strikes by the US and its Western allies had increased the risk of a violent response from militant Islamists against European targets. | He warned that air strikes by the US and its Western allies had increased the risk of a violent response from militant Islamists against European targets. |
| "I think we have to acknowledge that it will," he said. | "I think we have to acknowledge that it will," he said. |
| "That was clear with the French because three days ago [IS] issued a statement saying there would be retaliation against the coalition. A French man was kidnapped in Algeria and he has been beheaded. So they did what they announced." | "That was clear with the French because three days ago [IS] issued a statement saying there would be retaliation against the coalition. A French man was kidnapped in Algeria and he has been beheaded. So they did what they announced." |
| Where do Islamic State's foreign fighters come from? | Where do Islamic State's foreign fighters come from? |
| Mr de Kerchove also warned that groups competing with IS, such as al-Qaeda, may try to launch attacks in Europe to maintain their profile. | Mr de Kerchove also warned that groups competing with IS, such as al-Qaeda, may try to launch attacks in Europe to maintain their profile. |
| "The rise of [IS] may prompt al-Qaeda to do something to show that it is still relevant," he said. | "The rise of [IS] may prompt al-Qaeda to do something to show that it is still relevant," he said. |
| On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria. | On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria. |
| The US military released footage of air strikes on IS-controlled oil refineries in eastern Syria on Thursday, carried out by US, Saudi and UAE aircraft. | |
| Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance the jihadists' offensive in both countries. | Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance the jihadists' offensive in both countries. |
| Activists reported further strikes on IS positions in Mayadin and oil facilities in Deir al-Zour on Friday morning, but the raids have not yet been confirmed by the US. | |
| The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which monitors the conflict in Syria, said there were casualties in Friday's strikes but the numbers were unclear. | |
| Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the purpose of Thursday's strikes was "not necessarily to kill militants" but to destroy the oil facilities, which were funding IS through the black market. | |
| He said the strikes had been effective but not yet decisive. | He said the strikes had been effective but not yet decisive. |
| "Even after the hits they've taken, and they have been hit, they still have financing at their fingertips," Rear Adm Kirby added. | "Even after the hits they've taken, and they have been hit, they still have financing at their fingertips," Rear Adm Kirby added. |
| He said it was too soon to talk of "winning" against IS, adding that they still "have plenty of weapons and vehicles and the ability to move around". | He said it was too soon to talk of "winning" against IS, adding that they still "have plenty of weapons and vehicles and the ability to move around". |
| UK votes on action | UK votes on action |
| The US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition. | The US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition. |
| Later on Friday, UK MPs will be asked to support strikes against IS militants in Iraq - but not in Syria. | Later on Friday, UK MPs will be asked to support strikes against IS militants in Iraq - but not in Syria. |
| The office of Prime Minister David Cameron said UK forces could legally join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance. | The office of Prime Minister David Cameron said UK forces could legally join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance. |
| Mr Cameron told the UN on Wednesday IS was an "evil against which the whole world must unite". | Mr Cameron told the UN on Wednesday IS was an "evil against which the whole world must unite". |
| The Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, says his government will decide in the coming days whether to join the air strikes in Iraq and Syria. | The Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, says his government will decide in the coming days whether to join the air strikes in Iraq and Syria. |
| Mr Abbott said it was in Australia's interest to play its part in what he called the fight "against the murderous death cult". | Mr Abbott said it was in Australia's interest to play its part in what he called the fight "against the murderous death cult". |
| Who are Islamic State (IS)? | Who are Islamic State (IS)? |