FBI looking into claims that young Minnesotans have traveled to Syria to fight
The Minneapolis division of the FBI is asking for the public's help in locating anyone who may have traveled to Syria to fight in that country's civil war.
The action comes two days after the Voice of America news service broadcasted an interview with a Minneapolis woman who said her 20-year-old brother left for Syria on Thursday. She identified him as Abdi Mahamud Nur and said the family reported him missing to the FBI.
It's unclear how many young people from Minnesota may have tried to join groups fighting President Bashar Assad's government, FBI spokesman Kyle Loven said.
"This is fairly recent intel that has come our way," Loven said.
He said the agency is trying to answer key questions: "Do we have a person or persons who have traveled to Syria?...Are there others who may plan to travel to Syria to engage in the fighting?"
The FBI is reaching out to Somali-American community members and on Tuesday posted a call for tips on its website.
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