EU sees Syria instability as terror risk for bloc, document says

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative photo — Syrian army personnel travel in a military vehicle as they head towards Latakia to join the fight against the fighters linked to Syria's ousted leader Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, March 7, 2025. REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano

BRUSSELS (Reuters) -     The situation in Syria could pose security risks for Europe, according to a draft internal European Union counterterrorism document seen by Reuters which warned that the terror threat level in the bloc remains high.

"Terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose a significant threat to the European Union and its Member States. The overall threat level remains high," the document said.

"Developments in the security situation in Syria could lead to the resurgence of jihadist groups in the region either with a risk of departure from Syrian territory, possibly to Europe, or through the remote activation of jihadists on the European continent," it added. 

 (Reporting by Lili Bayer; Editing by Makini Brice)