Austria's Safety: Assessing The Isis Threat

ISIS poses a significant threat to many countries in Europe, including Austria. In 2016, the Austrian Interior Ministry revealed that there were around 278 potential jihadists in the country, many of whom had spent time in Iraq or Syria. This information sparked concerns that Austria could be the target of an ISIS terror attack. The country has also seen a rise in far-right sentiment, with the anti-immigration Freedom Party gaining popularity in polls. In addition, a 2016 study found that Muslim teenagers in Vienna are at a high risk of being radicalized, with 27% of those surveyed expressing sympathy for jihadism and anti-Western ideologies. While Austria faces a heightened danger of terrorism, it is important to note that no travel can be guaranteed completely safe, and individuals should research their destinations and follow official travel advice and safety guidelines.

Hundreds of jihadis are believed to be living in Austria

In 2016, the Interior Ministry of Austria revealed that there were 278 potential jihadists in the country, many of whom had travelled to Iraq or Syria. This information was disclosed by Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka of the Austrian People's Party, in response to parliamentary questions asked by Team Stronach, a new eurosceptic and right-wing party. The figures were slightly higher than those from 2013, when former Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner from the Austrian People's Party reported 259 people who had travelled abroad after being questioned by the far-right Austrian Freedom Party.

Austria has one of the highest per capita numbers of foreign terrorist fighters in the European Union. Over the past three years, 270 Austrians have gone to fight with so-called Islamic State (IS) and other rebel groups. More than half of them were of Chechen origin, with around 30,000 Chechens living in Austria, making it one of the largest Chechen communities in Europe.

In 2020, a gun attack by an Islamic State supporter killed four people in central Vienna. The attacker, Kujtim Fejzulai, was a 20-year-old dual Austrian and North Macedonian national who had grown up in the city. He had longstanding connections within extremist networks in Austria and was in touch with transnational jihadi networks. Fejzulai had previously tried and failed to join the Islamic State overseas and had served time in prison for seeking to join the group. Despite efforts to deradicalise him, he remained a threat, underlining the danger posed by failed jihadi travellers and the challenges of rehabilitating terrorist convicts.

With over 100 jihadi extremists known to reside in Austria and their connections to like-minded individuals across Europe, authorities need to increase their efforts to identify and track national and transnational jihadi networks.

Austria's Interior Ministry admitted to 278 potential jihadists in the country

In 2016, Austria's Interior Ministry admitted that there were 278 potential jihadists in the country. This revelation came after parliamentary questions were posed by Team Stronach, a new eurosceptic and right-wing party. In response, Interior Minister Wolfgang Sobotka from the conservative Austrian People's Party disclosed that the government had identified 278 potential jihadists within Austria's borders, many of whom had spent time in Iraq or Syria. This admission raised concerns about the potential threat of Islamic State (ISIS) terror attacks in the country.

The presence of these potential jihadists in Austria underscored the broader issue of radicalisation and foreign fighters travelling to conflict zones in the Middle East. It was reported that the majority of the identified radical Muslims in Austria originated from the North Caucasus region. This issue was not isolated to Austria, as other European countries also grappled with the challenge of preventing their citizens from joining extremist groups abroad. Belgium, for instance, had the highest number of jihadists among European nations, with approximately 614 individuals who had fought or planned to fight in Syria or Iraq.

Austria's revelation about potential jihadists within its borders highlighted the need for heightened security and proactive measures to counter the threat of terrorism. In response, the Austrian government implemented initiatives to tighten laws and enhance security. This included plans to prosecute anyone who crossed the border illegally, as stated by the Interior Minister in anticipation of a large influx of refugees. Additionally, the government focused on prevention and law enforcement, collaborating with teachers, youth workers, and official Muslim community organisations to address the issue.

Moreover, community-based efforts played a crucial role in countering the lure of extremist ideologies. For instance, the Chechen community in Austria, which has one of the largest Chechen populations in Europe, took proactive measures. They established initiatives such as martial arts classes and language courses to engage their youth and prevent them from falling prey to radicalisation. These efforts were met with success, as the number of Austrians departing to become foreign fighters decreased over time.

The presence of potential jihadists in Austria underscored the complex nature of the threat posed by extremist ideologies and the need for a multifaceted response. By combining stricter security measures with community engagement and prevention initiatives, Austria sought to address the immediate dangers while also working towards long-term solutions to counter radicalisation and promote integration. These efforts were part of a broader European endeavour to safeguard against terrorist attacks and protect the safety and security of their citizens.

A study found Vienna Muslim teens at high risk of being radicalised

A study by the City of Vienna found that a high proportion of Muslim teenagers in the Austrian capital are at risk of being radicalised. The study, authored by Kenan Güngör, surveyed 401 local teens, of whom 214 were Muslims aged between 14 and 24. Güngör categorised the respondents into three groups: "vulnerable", "ambivalent", and "moderates".

The study found that 27% of Muslim respondents belonged to the "vulnerable" group, showing strong sympathy for jihadism and violent and anti-Western thinking. 31% were "ambivalent", expressing sympathy for religious extremists but refusing to kill in the name of God. A large proportion, 42% of Muslim youth, were “moderate”, with a liberal outlook and a rejection of violence, putting them at low risk of being radicalised.

Factors that increase the risk of radicalisation include the teenager's level of religious observance, whether they have a homogenous group of friends, their experience of migration, and their sex. Güngör concluded that "radicalisation is a male problem". He added that a "small and dangerous group" of youths are already radicalised and that it is too late to reach them through youth and social workers.

The study's findings come amid concerns about the presence of Islamic extremists in Austria. In 2016, the Austrian Interior Ministry admitted that there were around 278 potential jihadists in the country, many of whom had spent time in Iraq or Syria. In 2023, the Austrian domestic intelligence agency warned lawmakers of Islamic radicalisation in the region of Styria, which borders Slovenia. Additionally, it is estimated that nearly 300 Austrian citizens have left or attempted to leave the country to join the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.

Nearly 300 Austrian citizens have left or tried to leave the country to join ISIS

In 2016, the Interior Minister of Austria, Wolfgang Sobotka, revealed that the country had identified 278 potential jihadists, many of whom had spent time in Iraq or Syria. This number is an increase from the 259 people reported by former Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner in February of the same year. This revelation raised concerns about the presence of jihadis in Austria and the potential threat of Islamic State (ISIS) terror attacks.

Among these individuals, there are cases of Austrian citizens who have left or attempted to leave the country to join ISIS. One such case involves an Austrian woman, Edith, whose daughter, Himena, left for Syria as a confused teenager with her husband to live under ISIS. Himena, who had a history of bullying and religious solace-seeking, ran away at 15 and eloped with an older Afghan boyfriend. After returning home, Himena asked to go alone to a friend's place and promised to be back by 3 p.m., but she did not return. Edith later received a video of Himena sitting on a bed, crying, in Raqqa, Syria, a city controlled by ISIS.

Himena's story is not an isolated incident, as Austria has seen nearly 300 citizens leave or attempt to leave to join ISIS. This raises concerns about the potential threat of terrorism and the safety of Austrian citizens. The presence of radicalized individuals returning to Austria after fighting alongside ISIS in Syria and Iraq poses a significant risk to the country. It is crucial to address this issue and implement measures to prevent further radicalization and recruitment by terrorist organizations like ISIS.

The recruitment of foreign fighters to join ISIS is a global phenomenon, and Austria is one of the countries contributing a significant number of individuals. This issue is not limited to Austria, as other Western European countries, such as Finland, Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and Sweden, have also seen a substantial number of ISIS foreign fighters relative to their Muslim population size. Understanding the factors that lead individuals to join ISIS is critical to countering this threat and ensuring the safety of Austrian citizens.

To address this challenge, it is essential to examine the underlying causes that make individuals susceptible to recruitment. Research suggests that second and third-generation immigrants from Muslim backgrounds may struggle to integrate into homogeneous, wealthy, and secularized Western societies, leading to feelings of alienation and social exclusion. This marginalization and discontent make them vulnerable to fundamentalist interpretations of militant Islam and recruitment by ISIS. Therefore, promoting assimilation and breaking down ethnic silos through domestic policies and programs can be effective interventions to prevent radicalization and protect Austrian citizens from the threat of terrorism.

Austria is in the 'very likely' terror threat category

Austria is in the "very likely" terror threat category, which means that terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in the country. This classification is due to the presence of hundreds of jihadis believed to be living in Austria, posing a possible target for an Islamic State (ISIS) terror attack. In 2016, the Austrian Interior Ministry identified 278 potential jihadists, many with ties to Iraq or Syria. The country's far-right party has actively campaigned for stricter asylum laws, and the Interior Minister has vowed to tighten laws regarding illegal border crossings.

The heightened terror threat level in Austria has led to increased security measures, including a raised police and military presence outside public buildings, particularly at Jewish institutions. This increase in security personnel aims to protect sensitive sites and ensure the safety of all groups within Austrian society. The Austrian Armed Forces provide support to the police, and a new unit, the Terror Defence Centre, has been established within the Interior Ministry to monitor the situation around the clock.

The terror threat level in Austria is currently the second highest, indicating a "high" risk of a terrorist attack. This escalation is attributed to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East and recent terrorist attacks in nearby European countries, such as Belgium. The risk of Islamist terrorism is particularly elevated due to the exploitation of Middle Eastern developments to disseminate Islamist propaganda, which could further radicalize individuals.

While there is no immediate threat of a terror attack in Austria, the country remains vigilant against the potential for terrorism. The authorities have urged the public to be aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious activities to law enforcement. People planning to travel to Austria are advised to stay informed about their surroundings and follow the advice of local authorities and security updates.

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