Securing Italy from Islamic State Requires Changes to Refugee Laws
The Islamic State has announced that it is beginning its countdown to terror in Italy. Photos were spread on twitter of handwritten signs held in front of notable places in Rome such as the Colosseum and in Milan. Written on the signs was the hashtag “#Islamic State in Rome”.
Photos such as these are not uncommon. Similar notes have been held up across the world, including in the United States in both Chicago and Washington D.C.
With messages such as “we are in your cities” and “you are our goals anywhere”, they are used to recruit jihadists and instill fear in civilians.
The threat may not have materialized in Chicago and Washington, D.C., but Italy does have cause for concern. In a recent pamphlet titled, “Black Flags of Rome”, published by the Islamic State, they layout step by step their plan to conquer Italy. While highly ambitious, this manual for conquering Italy must be taken seriously and the authorities need to create a comprehensive response.
The manual indicates that the jihadists have focused on Italy thanks to its central geography in Europe. From there, terrorists’ fantasize about spreading across Europe, conquering countries and gathering troops, with the ultimate plan of heading to Israel.
While these plans are obviously outside the realm of Islamic State’s capability, it shows clear intent and desire to target Italy and authorities should act accordingly.
One focus on the Islamic State’s proposal is utilizing Muslim gangs already present throughout many parts of Europe. Combined with photos of Islamic State Sympathizers posing outside key landmarks across Italy reinforces the fact that there are already jihadists living in Italy.
The “Black Flags of Rome” document also discusses the use of the sea as a tool to conquer southern Italy by transporting jihadists and weapons from Libya to Sicily and Southern Italy. Multiple reports have discussed Islamic State targeting cruise lines and other shipping within the Mediterranean.
Additionally, from January to March 2015 alone, over 10,000 people have been illegally trafficked and smuggled to Italy from Libya. It should be assumed that the people who are smuggled into Italy are not all simply civilians looking for a better life.
The trade routes throughout Africa leading to Libya and ultimately across the Mediterranean to Italy can be used to smuggle terrorists as well. Those terrorists can bring in weapons and other materials needed for ongoing terror plots.
The Italian authorities have already begun providing more security around some of the historic attractions in Rome, but have yet to crack down on the smuggling operations from Libya.
Under Europe’s Common European Asylum System, every refugee in Italy is entitled to asylum. The European Union’s policies may as well be welcoming jihadists into their countries with open arms.
With real threats on the horizon, it is time for Italy and the European Union to develop a plan in order to strengthen its borders and take preemptive actions, before the Islamic State has an opportunity to carry out planned attacks.
