“A mixture of British people, from numerous backgrounds.” Huh. Anglican cat fanciers? Agnostic numismatists? In any event, the fact that they’re from “numerous backgrounds” again demonstrates the centrality of the jihadist ideology to the conflict, rather than mere “tribal” or “nationalistic” issues.
“More Britons travel to Somalia for ‘jihad’: report,” from Agence France-Presse, September 13:
Intelligence chiefs have warned British Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s government that Somalia is the next challenge in efforts to stem Islamic terrorism, a report said Sunday.
The officials have warned that the number of young Britons travelling to Somalia to fight in the war-torn country or take part in “terror training camps” is rising, the Independent on Sunday said, citing unnamed sources.
In particular, they are concerned about the number of people with no direct family connection to Somalia who are travelling there.
The number travelling there every year has more than quadrupled to at least 100 since 2004, according to the newspaper.
“I have seen figures that are not in the public domain that suggest there is an increasing flow of young Britons into Somalia,” said opposition Conservative MP Patrick Mercer, chairman of the counter-terrorism subcommittee.
“There is now a mixture of British people, from numerous backgrounds, who are heading out there and that is causing great concern.”…