Islamic State has declared a "caliphate" in the parts of Iraq and Syria it controls The number of Europeans joining Islamist
fighters in Syria and Iraq has risen to more than 3,000, the EU's anti-terrorism chief has told the BBC.
Gilles de Kerchove also warned that Western air strikes would increase the risk of retaliatory attacks in Europe.
US-led forces have launched nearly 200 air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq since August and on Monday began targeting IS
in Syria.
The UK parliament is due to vote on possible air strikes in Iraq on Friday.
IS has seized large parts of Iraq and Syria in recent months.
Mr de Kerchove said the number of 3,000 included all those who have been to the region, including those who have returned and those
who have been killed there.
The CIA estimates that IS may have up to 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria - three times as many as previously feared. Mr de Kerchove said that Islamic State's declaration of a caliphate in June may have
played a role in drawing more support from Europe.
"If you believe in this, probably you want to be part of it as early as possible," he said.
He warned that air strikes by the US and its Western allies had increased the risk of a violent response from militant Islamists against European targets.
"I think we have to acknowledge that it will," he said.
"That was clear with the French because three days ago [IS] issued a statement saying there would be retaliation against the coalition. A
French man was kidnapped in Algeria and he has been beheaded. So they did what they announced."
Where do Islamic State's foreign fighters come from?
Mr de Kerchove also warned that groups competing with IS, such as al-Qaeda, may try to launch attacks in Europe to maintain their profile.
"The rise of [IS] may prompt al-Qaeda to do something to show that it is still relevant," he said.
On Wednesday, the UN Security Council adopted a binding resolution compelling states to prevent their nationals joining jihadists in Iraq and Syria. On Thursday, the US military released footage and photographs of its air strikes on oil refineries controlled by IS militants in eastern Syria.
The raids, carried out by US, Saudi and UAE aircraft, targeted 12 refineries in Syria on a third night of air strikes against the militants.
Sales of smuggled crude oil have helped finance the jihadists' offensive in both countries.
Pentagon spokesman Rear Admiral John Kirby said the purpose of the strikes was "not necessarily to kill militants" but to destroy the facilities, which were funding IS through the black market.
He said the strikes had been effective but not yet decisive.
"Even after the hits they've taken, and they have been hit, they still have financing at their fingertips," Rear Adm Kirby added.
He said it was too soon to talk of "winning" against IS, adding that they still "have plenty of weapons and vehicles and the ability to move
around".
UK votes on action
The US says more than 40 countries have offered to join the anti-IS coalition. Later on Friday, UK MPs will be asked to support strikes against IS militants in Iraq - but
not in Syria.
The office of Prime Minister David Cameron said UK forces could legally join the bombing of targets in Iraq after the Iraqi minister of foreign affairs wrote to the UN seeking international assistance.
Mr Cameron told the UN on Wednesday IS was an "evil against which the whole world must unite".
The Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, says his government will decide in the coming days whether to join the air strikes in Iraq and Syria.
Mr Abbott said it was in Australia's interest to play its part in what he called the fight "against the murderous death cult".
Who are Islamic State (IS)?
Formed out of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) in 2013, IS first captured Raqqa in eastern Syria It captured broad swathes of Iraq in June,
including Mosul, and declared a "caliphate" in areas it controls in Syria and Iraq Pursuing an extreme form of Sunni Islam, IS has persecuted non Muslims such as Yazidis and Christians, as well as Shia Muslims, whom it regards as heretics Known for its brutal tactics , including beheadings of soldiers, Western journalists and aid workers
*The CIA says the group could have as many as 31,000 fighters in Iraq and Syria
Source:BBC
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