Videos are part of 'psychological warfare" by IS, says Germany's domestic intelligence chief

Germany's top domestic intelligence official says brutal videos produced by the Islamic State group and others are part of a "psychological warfare" effort.

Hans-Georg Maassen says countries need to counter the effect that slickly produced propaganda has on young people by highlighting the "gruesome reality" of life under IS.

The group recently released a video calling on its followers in Germany to carry out attacks such as those seen in France in January. German security officials say the video was voiced by Berlin-born extremist Denis Cuspert, who was designated as a global terrorist by the United States in February for fighting for IS.

Maassen said Wednesday that some 680 Islamic extremists have traveled to Syria and Iraq in recent years. About a third have returned to Germany.