Jihadis ‘going to war on cruise ships’ to beat increased security

Would-be jihadis are booking tickets on cruise ships in an attempt to reach Syria and Iraq without attracting the attention of Turkish security forces. Interpol has urged screening to be improved at all transport hubs to stop fighters reaching Turkey, from where thousands of foreigners seeking to join Islamic State have already crossed into Syria. The warning came as US aircraft bombed militants from the al-Qaeda-linked Nusra Front and the Ahrar al-Sham brigades in northern Syria. US officials have said a Nusra Front cell is planning an attack against American interests. Initial reports suggested French-born bomb maker David Drugeon was among those hit and possibly killed in the airstrikes.

There is evidence that the individuals, especially in Europe, are travelling mostly to (the Turkish coastal town of) Izmit and other places to engage in this type of activity.

Pierre St Hilaire, director of counterterrorism at Interpol

Special teams have been set up at Turkish airports and bus stations to intercept foreign jihadis aiming to cross the long border, according to local officials. Hundreds have been deported in recent months, but the success means militants have begun looking for alternatives ways to travel. Pierre St Hilaire, director of counterterrorism at Interpol, said: “Because they know the airports are monitored more closely now, there’s a use of cruise ships to travel to those areas.” Cruise ships have only become a concern in the last three months, Interpol officials added. The repeated stops these ships often make offer would-be jihadis the opportunity to leave at a number of ports, making them more difficult to track.

As we’ve gathered data, we’ve realised that there are more and more reports that people are using cruise ships in order to get to launch pads, if you will - sort of closer to the conflict zones - of Syria and Iraq.

Ronald Noble, Interpol Secretary

World cruise ships