Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate

In a report released in July, the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate for the Security Council (CTED), warned of a growing threat: the return of foreign terrorist fighters, or FTFs.

Member States estimate that there could up to 30,000 ISIL fighters in Iraq and Syria. A significant proportion of them are foreigners, and the majority of the European nationals return home.

The threat of terrorism remains “persistent and credible”, the head of the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) has said.

Jean-Paul Laborde made the remarks ahead of a briefing to the United Nations Security Council on Friday on the flow of foreign terrorist fighters around the world.

In September the Council adopted a resolution that requires all Member States to take strong measures against foreign terrorist fighters.