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Syrian Refugee Terrorist Claims Rather Quickly Debunked By The Facts

The Syrian Refugee/Islamic State Terrorist Nexus Explained In One Handy Infographic
George Bowden
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As soon as it emerged that a Syrian passport of questionable provenance had been found close to the scene of Friday's terror attacks in Paris, media outlets quickly reported what many commentators had feared: a Syrian jihadi posing as a refugee had come to Europe to commit murder.

The furore around the reports has led to nearly half the states in the US to declare they will not allow Syrian refugees into their provinces, with some American political figures citing the potential threat posed by Isis as one of the main reasons.

In France itself, far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen has called for an "immediate halt" to Syrian immigration in response to the atrocities.

Social media, posts about ISIS's ability to "penetrate" swathes of Syrians entering Europe having fled the war-torn nation have gained traction, garnering hundreds of shares and 'likes'.

Meanwhile the sentiment has begun to be used by people sharing articles following last week's terror attacks in Paris.

But as the chart below demonstrates, the sheer volumes of those fleeing Syria's civil war greatly outweigh those travelling from Europe to fight in Syria - and they pale in comparison to the one alleged Syrian perpetrator reported to have been involved in the Paris attacks.

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Click here for a zoomable version of this chart produced for HuffPost UK by Statista

Some 681,713 Syrians made asylum applications in Europe between 2011 and 2015, according to the UNHCR.

Around 3,500-3,950 fighters from Western European nations are thought to have travelled to Syria and/or Iraq in the same time period, including those who have died or left the conflict zone.

While just one allegedly Syrian perpetrator has been reported as being involved in the Paris terror attacks - and these reports are becoming more dubious as more is known.

Additionally, from what we know so far about the perpetrators of the attacks in Paris, all but one were French or Belgian-born nationals.

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GIZA, EGYPT - NOVEMBER 15: The Great Pyramid (C) is illuminated in the colours of the French flag in order to show solidarity after the Paris terror attacks of 13 November, in Giza, Egypt, on November 15, 2015. At least 129 people were killed and over 352 injured, 99 of which seriously, following a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images) (credit:Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
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The London Eye is illuminated in blue, white and red lights, resembling the colours of the French national flag, in central London on November 15, 2015, as Britons express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks in Paris on November 13 that left more than 120 people dead. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'N (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:NIKLAS HALLE'N via Getty Images)
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A picture taken in Dubai on November 15, 2015, shows Burj al-Khalifa, the world's tallest building, illuminated in the colours of the French national flag two days after deadly attacks in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 129 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KARIM SAHIB via Getty Images)
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The Friends arena in Solna near Stockholm is lit with national colours of France ahead the Euro 2016 play-off football match between Sweden and Denmark on November 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:JONATHAN NACKSTRAND via Getty Images)
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The Friends Arena in Solna, outside Stockholm, Swedne, is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande said more than 120 people died Friday night in shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall. (Marcus Ericsson/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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The Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande said more than 120 people died Friday night in shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall. (Christine Olsson/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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