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Under the Guise of Sport: Paramilitary Camps with Wahhabists and Al-Qaeda Sympathizers Are Sprouting in BiH

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While Europe busies itself with trade wars and climate summits, something far more dangerous is quietly growing in the heart of the Balkans. In the Federation of BiH, under the guise of "airsoft clubs," groups are forming that have nothing to do with sport - but everything to do with military training, religious indoctrination, and recruitment of young extremists.

The data is shocking: about ten clubs across the Federation gather extreme Wahhabists and supporters of terrorist organizations. Under the pretext of "combat simulation," they're actually conducting real military training and forming armed groups with the potential to evolve into paramilitary formations. Among the instructors - active members of BiH's armed forces and cantonal police.

Recruitment targets young people "in love with weapons," who cite "survival of the Muslim population" and the policy of a "unified and indivisible BiH without entities" as motivation. The main umbrella organization is the "Federation of Airsoft Clubs in the Federation of BiH" headquartered in Sarajevo.

Which are the most dangerous clubs?

The club ASK "Igman35" stands out, with members who are predominantly Wahhabists and Al-Qaeda sympathizers. Also notorious is "Black Lightning" from Cazin - a group of highly indoctrinated members equipped with state-of-the-art gear, known for positive comments about the 2011 terrorist attack on the US embassy in Sarajevo.

Then there's the "Extreme Sports Club Krajiski Patriot" and the "Sports-Recreation Club Fortress" - also hotspots of religious indoctrination and radical extremism.

The most absurd part? These clubs are registered as citizens' associations or sports clubs, enabling them to receive funding from local governments and cantonal authorities. Meaning taxpayer money goes to training potential extremists. Is anyone at the European Commission surprised? They shouldn't be - their own report from three years ago assessed these clubs as "a dangerous trend for the indoctrination and recruitment of new extremists."

The Balkans is a proven powder keg. The question isn't whether Europe will react, but whether it will once again react only when it's too late.