Executive summary
- Research shows that, historically, relatively few returning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) posed a direct threat. However, those that did were responsible for some of the most lethal terrorist attacks carried out over the past three decades. FTFs have also played a critical role in creating and strengthening terrorist groups, and radicalizing and recruiting terrorist networks.
- The current FTF wave has clear differences with previous ones. Studies indicate that it is larger, more global, and more diverse in terms of age, gender and experience in the conflict zones. These differences make the potential challenges associated with returnees and relocators sig- nificantly bigger, but also more complex.
- The actions of a small proportion of returnees and relocators from the current conflict zones have demonstrated their increased lethality, both as attackers and as attack planners. Research suggests that such cases remain relatively rare, but it is difficult for States to assess which FTFs may pose a threat, or act as radicalizers, recruiters, and creators or reinforcers of terrorist groups in the future.
- Despite military progress and enhanced counter-measures by Member States, the fate and loca- tion of a sizeable proportion of FTFs appears to be uncertain. Identifying and locating these remaining FTFs remains a critical priority for the international community and is a major focus of the measures in Security Council resolution 2396 (2017).
- Research suggests that returning and relocating FTFs are likely to remain a significant long- term challenge, requiring Member States to balance repressive and “soft” responses. Many States have struggled to secure criminal convictions for FTFs, while imprisonment may delay, but not necessarily reduce the threat that they pose. The current FTF group is also relatively young and includes children of FTFs who may have been trained and indoctrinated by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh).
- As a result, Council resolution 2396 (2017) calls on Member States to improve judicial proce- dures and the collection and sharing of information and evidence, while developing tailored prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration strategies, including programmes addressing radicalization in prisons and focused on the needs of children associated with FTFs.
- In view of the long-term, complex nature of the returnee and relocator challenge, the research community can continue to play a vital role in helping to identify new or emerging terrorist trends and good counter-terrorism practices. However, this research must be global in its scope and encompass Member States or regions most affected by, and least able to respond to, the FTF threat
Topic: Deradicalization, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Programmes, Plans of Action, Rehabilitation and Re-integration
Themes: Deradicalization, Foreign Terrorist Fighters, Programmes, Plans of Action, Rehabilitation and Re-integration
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