ISIS 'spreading like cancer' among refugees and planning terrorist attacks, top NATO commander warns

There has been much talk about whether or not European countries and the United States should accept more refugees from war-torn areas in the Middle East, primarily due to fears that some of them may be covert terrorists.

It turns out those security fears are well-founded, based on recent pronouncements made by the Supreme Allied Commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

In his testimony to the Senate armed services committee earlier this week, NATO Supreme Allied Commander and U.S. Air Force Gen. Philip Breedlove warned that migrant populations from the Middle East and north Africa are "masking the movement" of terrorists and criminals.

The ranking military official even went as far as saying that the jihadist organisation Islamic State (ISIS) is "spreading like a cancer" among refugees.

He further warned that the ISIS is already "threatening European nations and our own" by "taking advantage of paths of least resistance," which was through strengthening its force in migrant populations.

Breedlove likewise accused Russia of "wildly" exacerbating the problem by unilaterally launching a bombing campaign in Syria, in support of the war-torn nation's autocratic leader, Bashar al-Assad.

The NATO commander said Russia's airstrikes in Syria, which has already killed some 1,000 people including children, are forcing more people from the Middle Eastern country to flee for their lives and try to find refuge in Europe no matter how difficult and perilous that may be.

Asked by the media if he has data to support the claims he made before Congress, Breedlove just replied: "I can't give you a number on the estimate of the flow."

"I'm not going to talk to you about intelligence," he further said, warning that "many [countries] are saying they see planning happening" for a terrorist attack.

related articles
Turkey arrests 8 ISIS suspects at airport, thwarting their attempt to sneak into Europe as \'refugees\'
Turkey arrests 8 ISIS suspects at airport, thwarting their attempt to sneak into Europe as 'refugees'

Turkey arrests 8 ISIS suspects at airport, thwarting their attempt to sneak into Europe as 'refugees'

In Iowa, Christians find it hard to show compassion to refugees amid terror fears
In Iowa, Christians find it hard to show compassion to refugees amid terror fears

In Iowa, Christians find it hard to show compassion to refugees amid terror fears

ISIS boasts of having exploited Europe\'s refugee programme to form armies in every country in the continent
ISIS boasts of having exploited Europe's refugee programme to form armies in every country in the continent

ISIS boasts of having exploited Europe's refugee programme to form armies in every country in the continent

News
Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology
Pastor considers legal action after arrest over comments on Islam and transgender ideology

The Alliance Defending Freedom warns of more such arrests if the government introduces its much-maligned definition of 'anti-Muslim hatred'.

Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?
Why do Christians observe Shrove Tuesday?

17 February 2026 is Shrove Tuesday, the traditional day for eating pancakes before the start of Lent. This is the story …

CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs
CoE announces £400,000 to get young people into choirs

Most CoE choirs currently have no children involved.

Christian social worker who lost job offer over marriage and sexuality beliefs wins appeal
Christian social worker who lost job offer over marriage and sexuality beliefs wins appeal

A Christian social worker whose offer of a job was withdrawn over public comments he made about marriage and sexuality has won his case at appeal.