The conflict in Syria and the associated rise of the Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) had a major mobilising effect upon the global jihadist movement, also in the Netherlands.

The jihadist movement was greatly impacted by those travelling to the conflict area to join the jihad, those who attempted to do so but were stopped, those who returned from the conflict area, and those who were killed. The interaction of these individuals with the home front also played a role.

In recent years, the number of supporters in the Netherlands grew to over 500, and there are several thousands of sympathisers. The threshold for carrying out attacks in one’s own country in ISIS’ name has been lowered.