The Returned

Since 2012, hundreds of men and women have left Western countries to join jihadist groups fighting in Syria. Many are still there, many have been killed, but some have chosen to return to their countries of origin. French Journalist David Thomson met some of those who came back. Bilel, Yassin, Zoubeir, Lena, each has a different profile and story. Some have returned disgusted by the violence of the Syrian battlefields, or the terrorist attacks that have struck across Europe; they try to become forgotten, living under extreme surveillance. Others return seriously wounded or psychologically destroyed. Others still are in jail, a breeding ground for broader radicalization. And some have come back to continue to carry out jihad in Europe. In utmost secrecy, David Thomson gathered their testimonies and recounts them in this remarkable and revealing book. With ISIS losing ground on all fronts, the steady flow of jihadists returning to Europe represents one of the greatest challenges facing countries across the continent. This nuanced analysis of the social, religious, political, familial and psychological factors that push people to violent extremism is more necessary now than ever. It will be essential reading for all those seeking to understand how we might address this threat.

The Protagonists vii Introduction 1 Part One. Bilel Leaving the Islamic State 11 The arrival in Syria 19 Daily Life in the Islamic State 26 The Rupture after the Paris attacks 31 Part Two. Yassin A bullet in his stomach 37 ‘Anything to bring him back’ 43 ‘Salam alaykum, my son is in Mayadin’ 48 ‘He weighed less than 40 kilos’ 53 The French doctors in Raqqa 56 Running backwards 60 ‘Now you’re going to tell us what really happened’ 64 Part Three. Zubeir Zubeir, 20 years old, the repentant jihadist 71 Being a jihadist means feeling important 79 The tipping point 84 Jihadist seeks YF for marriage 92 ‘LOL jihad’ 97 ‘I found ISIS at Fleury-Mérogis’ 105 The Islamic State, prison ward 109 Prison, jihadist territory 116 ‘I’m afraid that people are afraid of me’ 124 Part Four. The Women After jihad, a ‘quiet’ return to classes for Safya 131 ‘Sharia is sharia, that’s all!’ 137 Lena, the women and the desire to kill 143 ‘I felt powerful. Better than everyone else’ 153 Express weddings and quick divorces 162 In the marriage factory 171 Part Five. Kevin and Quentin The former choirboy from Brittany 183 Nice 191 Part Six. Those Who Didn’t Return Dope, rap, nashid and terrorism 211 From the French army to the caliphate 225 Epilogue 231 Notes 247