Der Spiegel: German camp in Syria hosting Takfiri militants

German media reports said Takfiri militants from Germany have gathered in Syria’s "German Camp" to fight against the Damascus government. According to a report by Der Spiegel on Monday, some 200 German militants have gathered in Northern Syria in what has been dubbed the German Camp. Intelligence sources say the number of German Takfiri militants traveling to Syria is on the rise, adding that a German Camp has been set up in Northern Syria to serve as a collection point and a training center for German-speaking militants. The majority of these young men hail from the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Authorities estimated that around 1,000 militants from across Europe are currently fighting in Syria -- compared to just 250 in late 2012. European officials have warned that the influx of Europeans to Syria is increasing the threat of future terrorist attacks in Europe, noting that around a dozen militants have already returned to Germany and pose a "particular threat". Militants from countries including the United States, Canada, France, and Britain are fighting in Syria. Syria has been gripped by deadly unrest since 2011. Reports indicate that the western powers and their regional allies -- especially Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey -- are supporting the militants operating inside the country. According to the United Nations, more than 100,000 people have been killed and millions displaced in the violence.