Kosovo Braces for Security Challenge of Returning Fighters

The Kosovo government's new National Strategy against Terrorism and Action Plan 2018-2022 says fighters returning from conflict zones in the Middle East, as the so-called Islamic State, ISIS, collapses, are the next challenge in the country's battle against the threat of terrorism.

"As has been seen in many examples in Europe, radicalised individuals can commit acts of extreme violence against both the population and institutions in their own country, and therefore the risk that Kosovo might be targeted for such a terrorist attack cannot be excluded," the document, made public on Friday, says.

Interior Minister Flamur Sefaj told BIRN that the focus should be also on the supporters of violent radical Islamists, as well as on returning fighters themselves.

"It is very important how we act in that case, obtaining information from them, locating them and keeping them under control because they can come up with the idea that paradise is waiting for each of us," Sefaj said.

"But what is even more important to know is how much support these people have among the population, because as for foreign fighters themselves, if you know roughly how many of them they are, you can control them, but what is problematic is how many people support their ideas."

Among the potential threats facing the country, according to the strategy, are "attacks by members of terrorist organisations, by foreign terrorist fighters, by dormant cells or by sympathisers and supporters who may be inspired to commit violent acts".

It also warns of "indoctrination with extremist ideology - indoctrination and recruitment of youth, mainly using propaganda, for the purposes of terrorist organisations".

Terrorists posing as ordinary migrants can also create security...