KABUL: French and Algerian fighters, some arriving from Syria, have joined the ranks of the Islamic State group in northern Afghanistan where the militants have established new bases, multiple international and Afghan sources have told AFP. It is the first time that the presence of French IS fighters has been recorded in Afghanistan, and comes as analysts suggested foreigners may be heading for the war-torn country after being driven from Syria and Iraq. “A number” of Algerian and French nationals entered the largely IS-controlled district of Darzab in northern Jowzjan province in November, said district governor Baaz Mohammad Dawar. He cited reports saying that around 50 children, some as young as 10, have also been recruited by the fighters. Locals along with district governor Dawar warned the fighters were also exploiting natural resources, such as precious stones and metals.

Source: Pakistan Today December 10, 2017 04:41 UTC