The United States is worried that the Islamic State group has ramped up its recruiting in Europe.
Maj. Gen. Walter Piatt, commanding general of U.S. Army Europe, told reporters Thursday, “We see recruiting kind of accelerating. […] It’s a concern,” The Hill reported. He added that the radical terrorist group’s presence is “one of the largest threats in Europe that we see from the spillover” from Syria’s civil war.
The general added that military commanders have taken precautions to safeguard U.S. installations.
“We understand there is a possibility of lone wolf attacks — as you know somebody could just take advantage of an opportunity — it’s not going to destabilize Europe but it’s a real threat to protection of our citizens in these nations, and also forces deployed to these countries,” he said, The Hill reported.
On Sept. 21, French authorities arrested and charged five individuals in connection with an Islamic State recruitment ring, which came only weeks after two teenage girls were apprehended while allegedly trying to join the group.
On Tuesday, six individuals were arrested in London by police for allegedly taking part in terrorist-related activities linked with Islamic State, Reuters reported. Only one week prior five others were arrested in an anti-terror sweep.
Two individuals from London’s terror raids on Oct. 7 have been released, Reuters reported.
• Douglas Ernst can be reached at dernst@washingtontimes.com.
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