Via AFP:

A dozen ex-French soldiers have joined jihadist groups in Iraq and Syria, raising concerns over the possible existence of radical elements within the military, a defence ministry source said Wednesday.

“We estimate at around a dozen the number of former troops who have joined these networks,” the source, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

“Our concern is not former soldiers… It’s preventing the phenomenon of radicalisation with our forces,” the source added.

RFI radio reported that most of the soldiers-turned-jihadists, whose ranks included former special forces and Foreign Legion members, had joined the Islamic State group.

One was commanding a group of French recruits that he had trained in northeast Syria, the radio added.

“Others are explosives experts,” RFI said, adding that the fighters were mostly in their twenties.

According to L’Opinion newspaper, one combatant had served in the elite 1st Marine Infantry Parachute Regiment.

After five years of service the soldier joined a private security firm protecting oil fields in the Arabian peninsula, the paper reported in its online edition.

“That’s where he progressively became radicalised, growing a beard and subscribing to Islamist ideology,” added L’Opinion, which quoted unnamed sources as saying he was fired and then travelled to Syria.