Returning foreign fighters in the Caribbean

[davidbfpo]

A short article that starts with:

With the winding down of the war against ISIS in Syria, many Caribbean governments worry about the possible impact that returning fighters could have on domestic and regional security.

Later:

Between 2014 and 2016, an estimated 150 fighters eluded domestic authorities and travelled to conflict zones in the Middle East.

Link:https://www.thecipherbrief.com/manag...pora-caribbean

In effect it ends with a plea for greater US support.

[davidbfpo]

The sub-title:

The Caribbean nation has one of the world’s highest Isis volunteer rates – and most don’t come back...
(Then) Yet at the bloody peak of the group’s power, Trinidad and Tobago had one of the highest recruitment rates in the world. More than 100 of its citizens left to join Islamic State, including about 70 men who planned to fight and die.

Link:https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...iq-abdul-haqq?

[davidbfpo]

A story from CNN, one passage

The officials said US military personnel from US Southern Command, which oversees US military operations in the region, advised and assisted local Trinidadian security forces in apprehending the four extremists who are believed to be part of a network engaged in plotting terror attacks.The US troops did not participate in any direct combat.

Link:http://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/09/po...ted/index.html

[davidbfpo]

A short article by a local; the sub-title explains:

Despite a well-integrated Muslim population, and an environment where there is no tangible discrimination or lack of opportunity, the Jihadist ideology has taken root in Trinidad.

Given the previous post this is not encouraging, reading on you will understand why local actions can be thwarted:

On 7th February 2018, just days before Trinidad’s signature Carnival, some thirteen young men – reportedly nearly all Muslim – were arrested and detained on suspicion of plotting to carry out attacks in the country. To date, only two people have been charged with any offence – the possession of components for an unlicensed firearm – and all others have been released.

Link:https://sustainablesecurity.org/2018...d-in-trinidad/

[davidbfpo]

Back to Trinidad once more:

Depending on who you ask in Trinidad, Yasin Abu Bakr is either a respected religious leader, a tireless community worker, or something more akin to a Mafia godfather. Waiting for an audience with him at his mosque in Trinidad's capital, Port of Spain, Colin Freeman starts to wonder if he might be a bit of all three.

Link:https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/stories-47419535