Returning IS fighters finding it difficult to reintegrate, find jobs

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – Former Islamic State (IS) fighters who traveled from Europe to join the group in Syria are finding it difficult to reintegrate into western society.

According to Swedish daily newspaper Expressen which interviewed the former members, nearly 150 have returned home and are attempting to rebuild their lives.

“I just want to forget everything,” Walad Yousef, a 27-year-old returning fighter, told the newspaper.

While in Syria with the extremist group, Walad posted photos of himself at training camps holding weapons, encouraging others to join him.

“I apply for a lot of jobs, but I can’t get any because my pictures are out there,” he explained.

The 27-year-old claimed he only went to Syria “to help civilians in the eastern city of Raqqa.”

Other former IS members interviewed by Expressen said joining the battle in Syria was “not what [they] thought.”

Many employers are afraid the returning fighters may commit terror attacks or encourage others to perform them, according to the returnees.

Several of the former militants have changed their names in an attempt to mask their identities, with some living with relatives as they are denied housing accommodation.

Sweden is testing a rehabilitation program that gives Swedish extremists an opportunity to reintegrate into society by offering housing, employment, education, and financial support.

In April, an Uzbek national rammed a truck into civilians in central Stockholm, killing five people and injuring scores more.

Authorities arrested the driver and reported he “had sympathies with [IS],” although the group did not claim the attack.

Editing by G.H. Renaud