Belgian IS Fighters in Syrian Cells

Wheelchair-bound Belgian Adel Mezroui is one of them. He has few regrets: “A Muslim must believe in the caliphate.” His story is not an isolated one. Scattered across 17 prisons, thousands of men are crammed into cells guarded by Kurdish militias such as the YPG. But the threat of IS is not gone - it's smouldering beneath the surface.

Human rights and government organizations are ringing the alarm bells. “Not only are our prisons a reminder of a horrific war, they are also hotbeds of radicalization that can breathe new life into IS.” Overcrowding, disease, limited resources and geopolitical tensions make it difficult to maintain order and ensure security, authorities warn.

The threat from IS is growing, not only behind prison walls but also in the vast Syrian desert, where sleeper cells are becoming increasingly entrenched. Commander Syamend Ali of the Kurdish YPG militia sees how the terror group is rebounding. “In the past two years, attacks have doubled,” he warns. “IS terrorists are becoming more active, with frequent attacks on infrastructure and military targets. They are gaining ground.” Local authorities fear these prisons could become the starting point for new terror. Yet it is unthinkable for many European countries to bring back “their” jihadists.

Even in Belgium, so many years later, this remains the hard line: no male nationals are being brought back. The world looks away, as if the political problem will solve itself. But that very fact makes it more dangerous than ever.