A TROVE of top secret Islamic State files detailing terror plots on Europe have been seized by US-backed troops in Syria during a covert raid on a terrorist cell

The papers reveal details of the jihadis’ plans to attack European countries, including France.
But surprisingly, the intelligence does not outline plots to attack Britain.

The documents were seized in July, but their contents are now being publicised following intelligence-sharing with European security services.

As well as containing potential target sites, the documents also include the names of ISIS financiers, propagandists and overseas supporters.

Analysing the documents is helping US-backed forces understand how the terror group operates, enabling troops to destabilise ISIS networks more effectively.

A hub has now been set up at a US airbase in Kuwait, where specialists are studying the intelligence.

Major-General Rupert Jones, the deputy commander of US-led operations, said: “A lot of what we are doing is striking leaders that you have never heard of.

General Jones described such individuals as “the lifeblood of any military organisation who have got to be taken down one at a time”.

He added: “You just ruthlessly go after those leaders, slowly wear them down.”

General Jones said an ISIS smartphone was also seized recently, which contained plans to target specific locations in France, including the Champs-Elysées Christmas market and Paris cafes.

The deputy commander said: “There is a huge amount of intelligence, documentation, electronic material that has been exploited… that points directly to plots against all sorts of nations around the world.”

Europe is currently in a heightened state of alert following a spate of terror attacks, which have killed more than 270 people.

Britain’s terror threat level is currently set to “severe”.

Source: Express.uk