A new report suggests the Islamic State (ISIS) is paying for young refugees to join its ranks as it aims to boost recruitment numbers.
The Quilliam Foundation warns that ISIS is targeting the youths on migration routes to Europe, along with Turkey, Jordan, and Lebanon.
"IS has also been known to recruit using financial incentives within refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, spending up to $2,000 on costs of recruiting refugees in both countries," the report reads.
"While some refugees may have to pay smugglers up to $560 for passage towards the Mediterranean coast, IS, capitalizing on this route, offers free passage to those willing to join IS. IS is able to provide a degree of security. The financial lure is ever-present on the refugee journey — to those reaching the Mediterranean coast, IS offers potential recruits up to $1,000 to join the organization."
Some minors are also being used by ISIS for sexual exploitation, the report reads.
Quilliam senior researcher Nikita Malik, the co-author of the report, spoke with The Independent about his findings.
"That's actually incredibly effective when a young person has been separated from their family and they're just trying to get by day to day," Malik said regarding the paying of refugees for recruitment purposes. "ISIS [is] able to fill those basic services."
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