Terror alert raised for Netherlands

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AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, March 13 (UPI) -- The Netherlands raised the risk of a terrorist attack based on signs of Dutch youth radicalization and more jihadists going to fight in Syria, officials said.

The National Coordinator for Security and Counter-terrorism said Wednesday the level a risk of attack in the Netherlands or Dutch interests abroad was raised from "limited" to "substantial," DutchNews.nl reported.

Nos television reported Monday up to 100 Dutch Muslims were fighting in Syria and other countries such as Afghanistan and Somalia, meaning the Netherlands is among biggest suppliers of European jihadist fighters. The report said most of the fighters were members of the militant al-Nusra movement.

"These jihadist travelers can return to the Netherlands highly radicalized, traumatized and with a strong desire to commit violence, thus posing a significant threat to this country," the group, a division of Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice, said in a statement.