Dutch and French Work Together in Apprehending Jihadist

On March 27, 2016, Dutch police arrested four individuals suspected of being connected to terrorist organizations. The arrests were made in conjunction with the French authorities claiming a suspected French terrorist was residing in Rotterdam.

The raids conducted on Sunday occurred in the Spangen and Sieuwe neighborhoods in western Amsterdam. They were carried out by the Dutch Special Intervention Service, an anti-terrorism unit of the police squad and by the Dutch Intelligence Agency (AIVD). Authorities evacuated residents near the two homes that were raided.

Three of the four were identified as a 32-year old French national, two Algerians 43 and 47-years old, and the last suspect is yet to be identified. Items that were collected from the apartments included cell phones, data carriers, SIM cards, money, drugs, and weapons.

Paris is still tracking down members of last November’s terrorist attack that may also have connections to last week’s bombings in Brussels.

While the French prosecutor would not released the identify of the French national the media named identified Anis B,  born in Montreuil, an impoverished Paris suburb, and later lived in Val-de-Mare.

Anis B reportedly traveled to Syria last year with Reda Kriket, a suspect in the Brussels bombing was arrested Thursday by police. Kirket was believed to bei n the late stages of planning a second attack on Paris.

Authorities connected the two when a search of Kriket’s apartment uncovered explosives, firearms, and a phone number for Rotterdam. French authorities contacted the Dutch authorities who traced the phone number, leading to the arrests of the four individuals.  French authorities believe that Anis B was in contact with Islamic State (IS) members in Syria and instructed to attack French targets with Kriket.

French prosecutor is not sure yet what the connection is between Anis and the Algerian suspects, but Anis was apparently found in one of their homes. Reports indicated that since February a number of Algerian IS members posing as Syrian refugees have gained access into Europe, most notably Germany.

European states are working together in the wake of the Brussels airport and metro attacks. Belgium, France, Germany,  Italy, and now the Netherlands have all within days after the Brussels attack have made arrests of suspected IS terrorists either connected to Brussels or Paris. However, authorities are still desperately searching for the “man in white” spotted on CCTV cameras at Zaventem Airport last week.

The intelligence sharing between France and the Netherlands may be a step in the right direction. The intercooperation of European intelligence has been a point of major criticism since the Brussels bombing.  With reports indicating that as many as 400 jihadists have been turned lose throughout Europe coordination and teamwork will be more important than ever.