'Only 400 ... ?' AP report: IS 'has trained at least 400 fighters to target Europe'

Sarah D. | 4:24 PM on March 23, 2016

JV https://t.co/EpgmfmZzki

— LaurieAnn ??‍♂️? (@mooshakins) March 23, 2016

Two words: Jay. Vee. https://t.co/WW756p2MC1

— Noah Shachtman (@NoahShachtman) March 23, 2016

If this is the JV team, we shudder to think what varsity looks like:

BREAKING: The Islamic State group has trained at least 400 fighters to target Europe in deadly waves, the AP has learned.

— The Associated Press (@AP) March 23, 2016

More from AP:

The Islamic State group has trained at least 400 fighters to target Europe in deadly waves of attacks, deploying interlocking terror cells like the ones that struck Brussels and Paris with orders to choose the time, place and method for maximum carnage, The Associated Press has learned.

…

“Not only did he drop out of sight, but he did so to organize another attack, with accomplices everywhere. With suicide belts. Two attacks organized just like in Paris. And his arrest, since they knew he was going to talk, it was a response: So what if he was arrested? ‘We’ll show you that it doesn’t change a thing,'” said French Senator Nathalie Goulet, co-head of a commission tracking jihadi networks.

Estimates range from 400 to 600 Islamic State fighters trained specifically for external attacks, according to the officials, including Goulet. Some 5,000 Europeans have gone to Syria.

Oh. Well, that sounds less than encouraging. Especially if the estimates are too low, as some people suspect:

According to @AP, Da'ish has trained at least 400 fighters to target #Europe in deadly waves. To be honest, that number seems too low.

— H. Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) March 23, 2016