Islamic State touts more than 3K Europeans among ranks

The number of Europeans jumping on the Islamic State bandwagon and joining the ranks of the terrorist organization has swelled to more than 3,000, said EU anti-terrorism chief Gilles de Kerchova.

He also warned in a BBC report that airstrikes from the West would likely bring retaliatory attacks on to Europe.

So far, the U.S.-led airstrike campaign against the Islamic State has included about 200 bombings over Iraq, BBC reported. Lawmakers in the United Kingdom are due to vote Friday on joining the coalition and aiding with the airstrikes that just began over Syria.

Mr. de Kerchove said the 3,000 or so who’ve joined the Islamic State from Europe have visited the region of Iraq and Syria, BBC reported. Meanwhile, the CIA estimates that the Islamic State may have a total of 31,000 fighters.