Radicalised Brits Fighting With The Syrian Rebels.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2313988/Radicalised-Brits-fighting-Syrian-rebels-pose-threat-return-home-EU-security-chief-warns.html

Would these same radicalised Brits be as quick to fight on behalf of the country that has educated them, sheltered them and protected them?

And on their return, will these same 'Brits' create a threat for the rest of us?

[andy-hughes]

Perhaps they see it as their responsibility to try and assist the Syrian people to enjoy the same level of education shelter and protection.

The British government supports the Syrian rebels, and is prepared to assist them - possibly with arms - and who knows, may send in troops in some capacity.

The media treat 'radicalisation' as though it is an infectious disease. I would suggest that anyone preprared to go and fight for another nation is already pretty 'radicalised' in terms of how they view the situation. I fail to see why the would return and wish harm to a nation whose government offers support as well.

[237SJ]

No, and Yes (in that order)

[Gromit]

Aren't we on the side of the Syrian Rebels. Aren't we sending supplies and intelligence to them?

You could not really expect a radicalised muslim to go and kill other muslims just because Tony Blair thought it was a good idea. So it depends on the war. If we were fighting Israel, i am sure we would have whole Brigades of British Muslims signing up.

They will have been trained in fighting and have killed people, but that is true of any returning soldier from any war. It may be prudent though to keep a wardh on them for a while if (or when) they do return.

[emmie]

what makes you think they weren't radicalised already, just waiting for a time to go and fight in some foreign war. I asked that question a long time ago on AB, whether many of the young immigrants in Britain would fight if it came to a world war, seeing as how many different nationalities live here now. Most Abers seem to believe they would fight for Britain, some said they would have to if it came to a war, i say different. If your family originally came from Afghanistan and settled here, would a young Afghan man go and fight against his own people in Afghanistan, it seems pretty unlikely.

[emmie]

the rebels are not one band of men, they are many factions, each with their own agenda. If we arm them chances are they will use those weapons against the west eventually. We have learned nothing from the debacle of other ME conflicts if we do arm them.

[jomifl]

So it is really 'might be radicalised Brits'. I'm more worried about the flying pigs. ( not the airborne police I hasten to add)

[Gromit]

// We have learned nothing from the debacle of other ME conflicts //

I disagree. We invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. It didn't work. Now We have learned to let these countries own rebels to do the fighting and we support the side we want to win - from a far.

[emmie]

then why is there a proposal to arm the rebels, no one knows just who they are, except those actually doing the fighting, or the journalists out there monitoring what is going on. who say that there are vastly different ideologies going on, not one group trying to overthrow a dictator. The groups are also at loggerheads with one another, and that if Assad goes then civil war will ensue, and we will have some part in it, if we are sending arms to any of these rebels. Humanitarian aid, that is what we should be doing.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// If we were fighting Israel, i am sure we would have whole Brigades of British Muslims signing up. ///

That goes without saying, judging by the wording on some of the posters they hold aloft in this country.

What a more sensible question to ask would be, "if we were fighting a Muslim country would they be noticeable by their absence", but wait a minute they are aren't they?

[Svejk]

Rest assured Aog, we can look forward to some pay-back re. Syria. And it won't be pleasant regardless of the outcome.

[emmie]

what would that be ?^^

[jomifl]

Dead people em.

[Brenden]

Could the "Muslim brotherhood" take power in the country as they did in Egypt?.

[anotheoldgit]

em10

/// I asked that question a long time ago on AB, whether many of the young immigrants in Britain would fight if it came to a world war, seeing as how many different nationalities live here now. ///

That is a very good argument for a return of National Service, it would solve the immigration problem overnight, and that is why our present politicians won't be reintroducing it.

[sp1814]

em10

I wonder if there are there any figures for the percentage of service personnel from immigrant families?

It's an interesting question as to whether someone whose family is originally from Afghanistan would fight against his or her 'kin'.

It goes back to that old Norman Tebbitt 'cricket test' - there are many indigenous people who would look at me and suspect that deep down my loyalties are divided, and that when push comes to shove, I'd be a traitor.

Hey ho...nowt can be done about that attitude I suppose.

[Gromit]

AOG,

You are aware that muslim countries fight other muslim countries aren't you?

To many non muslims, Iraq and Afghanistan were unjust wars and many consider them illegal. Many regret that we invaded those countries and are ashamed at the civilian casualties we inflict. Certainly Iraq had nothing at all to do with 9/11 and WMDs were made up. Would you really expect Muslims to join the army and get involved with that just because Blair was up Bush's poodle?

[emmie]

Brenden, yes they could, and they are turning back the countries that were seen to be progressive, those that they have got a toe hold in. Egypt is just one, wait till Turkey follows the same route.

[youngmafbog]

No and Yes.

But that is not something we dont already know and I am sure our security forces are aware of and tracking the usual suspects.

As Gromit points out though, any soldier having been trained to kill can pose a significant threat if not bought back to civvy street correctly.

[emmie]

in WW2, people came from the commonwealth to fight for Britain, and for themselves, to rid us all of an evil tyrant. Many commonwealth servicemen and women lost their lives fighting for Britain, and that doesn't include those outside the commonwealth, like the Polish airmen, and the Americans in their hundreds of thousands. This is not meant as a history lesson, more to show you that this is an entirely different world set up now. We have more nationalities in Britain than we once had, from Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Turkey, you name it, over 300 languages spoken apparently, so would fight for Britain if it came to a global conflict like the last one?

[FredPuli43]

Yes, aog, I'm sure we could be overrun by returning jihadist bombers intent upon waging war against the rest of us.

What do you propose should be done to prevent that? It's no good being a hand-wringing rightie you know. Something must be done.