MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) — Eight German citizens have been confirmed to be behind suicide attacks carried out in Syria and Iraq on behalf of the Islamic State (IS) militant group, Tagesspiegel reported Wednesday, citing sources in German security services.
One German suicide bomber blew himself up in the Iraqi city of Qara Tapa on Sunday, killing 58 people. According to the newspaper, it was the eighth attack made by German citizens fighting for the IS.
At least three German nationals earlier resided in the most populous state of Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia, while another bomber lived in Hesse.
Syria and Iraq are currently battling the advance of the IS extremist group that has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012 and launched attacks in Iraq in June 2014. Upon capturing large parts of the two countries, the group announced the establishment of a caliphate on the territories under its control.
Many foreign fighters from the European Union, the United States and Canada are believed to be fighting for the jihadi group.
According to the US State Department, about 12,000 foreigners have joined the extremists fighting against government forces in Syria since the start of the conflict.
