Dutch intelligence sees the wars in Gaza and Ukraine as triggers for terrorist threats
ZOETERMEER, Netherlands (AP) — The Dutch national intelligence agency said Tuesday that threats targeting the Netherlands are increasingly connected to worldwide turmoil, including the wars in Gaza and Ukraine.
Although the number of terror attacks across Europe has been down in recent years, the General Intelligence and Security Service in its annual report said the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and the destruction of a Quran outside parliament last year are “trigger events” for extremists.
“The terrorist threat is serious at this moment,” the agency’s director-general, Erik Akerboom, told The Associated Press.
Akerboom said he is particularly concerned about big events, noting that the agency is working closely with French authorities to prevent incidents during the Paris Olympics this summer.
In December, the Dutch counterterrorism agency increased the country’s threat alert to its second-highest level because of concerns about the Islamic State group’s Khorasan affiliates, Akerboom said. IS-K, a Central Asian affiliate, was responsible for the attack at a suburban Moscow concert hall that killed at least 133 people in March.
Related articles
Judge orders man accused of opening fire outside Wrigley Field held without bail
CHICAGO (AP) — A federal magistrate judge on Monday ordered a man accused of opening fire on a busy2024-05-22China sees over 73 mln domestic tourist visits during Mid
Tourists ride on camels during Mid-Autumn Festival holiday at Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Spring s2024-05-22Kunming Zoo welcomes a newborn Asian elephant calf
Photo taken on Oct. 20, 2021 shows a newborn Asian elephant calf and his mother Yaming in Kunming Zo2024-05-22Scenery of Baiyangdian Lake in Xiongan New Area, N China's Hebei
Photo taken on July 27, 2022 shows lotus flowers in Baiyangdian Lake in Xiongan New Area, north Chin2024-05-22Who is Abi Carter? Inside the American Idol winner's unconventional family life
California-native Abi Carter was crowned the American Idol winner for season 22 on Sunday. The 21-ye2024-05-22View of Lali terrace in Guizhou, SW China
Aerial photo taken on June 1, 2022 shows Lali terrace in Shiban Village of Yanshan Township in Guidi2024-05-22
atest comment