BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — A team of European Union experts has been established to fight the Islamic State (IS) militant group’s extensive internet propaganda, EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove said Monday.
“The positive aspect is how can we use the Internet proactively to challenge the narrative of the IS (ISIL) and Al-Qaeda… and on this I think we are making impressive progress,” de Kerchove said.
The European Сommission decided to support the team of experts, which works on developing strategic communication between the member states, de Kerchove added.
The Islamic State is a jihadist group notorious for its human rights abuses, multiple kidnappings and killings. In 2014, it took vast territories in Iraq and Syria under its control and proclaimed an Islamic caliphate. The group’s affiliates also operate in North Africa, Yemen, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The ISIL’s intensive propaganda efforts on social networking websites especially target young westerners. The group posts pictures and videos of jihadists enjoying a "happy and prosperous" life within the caliphate online, trying to attract more young fighters.
According to the US National Counterterrorism Center, at least 20,000 foreign fighters have joined the ISIL.
