LONDON (AP) — The latest developments regarding the fight against the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq: All times local.
11:15 a.m.
The European Union is trying to close legal loopholes that allow people to travel to Syria or Iraq as foreign fighters and then launch attacks like those in Paris last month when they return home.
Around 5,000 so-called foreign fighters are thought to be in the EU or come from it, but only about 1,500 are listed on Europe’s criminal databases. The EU’s executive Commission unveiled proposals on Wednesday that would criminalize attempts to recruit or train people for extremist activities.
New measures would target those who travel within the 28-nation EU or abroad to work with extremists like the Islamic State group. Others would attempt to choke off access to funds and assets.
The proposals must still be debated and adopted by EU member countries and the European Parliament.
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11.05 a.m.
Belgian police have raided five more houses in the Brussels area early Wednesday and detained two people for questioning regarding the Paris attacks that left 130 people dead last month.
The raids targeted people who could have a link to Mohamed Abrini, who was seen driving with Paris fugitive Salah Abdeslam two days ahead of the Nov. 13 Paris attacks, and Ahmed Dahmani, who is detained in Turkey.
None of Wednesday’s detainees have been charged.
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