BRUSSELS (Sputnik) — At least 945 Belgian citizens are on a terrorist list with links to the four-year Syrian civil war, local media reported Tuesday, citing government sources.
The list includes militants currently fighting in Syria, fighters that have returned to Belgium, extremists on their way to the war-torn country and people who say they only intend to move there or were simply stopped by Belgian security services, the Derniere Heure newspaper said, citing sources in the office of Belgian Justice Minister Koen Geens.
Syrian government forces have been fighting opposition factions aiming to overthrow President Bashar Assad, as well as various Islamist groups, including Islamic State and the Nusra Front.
Belgium has the highest number per capita of EU countries with Islamists who have traveled to fight in Syria, according to the UK-based Aon plc insurance company. Some 440 Belgian citizens are estimated to be fighting on the side of militants in Syria.
