Soufan Group: Deadly year ahead in Europe

Police forces on patrol pass under the closed Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande vowed to attack the Islamic State group without mercy as the jihadist group claimed responsibility Saturday for orchestrating the deadliest attacks on France since World War II. (AP Photo/Kamil Zihnioglu)

BELGRADE - Persistent wars against militant Islamists in Muslim nations, unprecedented numbers of refugees and slow economic growth have created conditions foreshadowing a deadly year ahead in Europe, the private intelligence firm Soufan Group said in a report on Thursday.

The report cites this week's truck attack on a Christmas market in Germany that killed 12 holiday shoppers as reflecting a clear operational presence established by the Daesh terrorist group in Europe.

"As 2016 comes to a close, several trends that have had...