The head of Britain’s domestic security service, MI5, Ken McCallum, issued a stark warning on Tuesday about a “resurgent” threat posed by ISIS and Al Qaeda to the United Kingdom. Speaking publicly for a rare occasion, McCallum highlighted the changing dynamics of terrorism that increasingly leverage children and the internet.
In his speech in London, McCallum revealed that over a third of MI5’s priority investigations currently involve links to international terrorist organizations, with ISIS notably resuming its “efforts to export terrorism.” He also noted a worrying trend: more than 12% of individuals being investigated for terrorism offenses are minors, marking a three-fold increase since 2021.
This address comes amid a series of warnings from Western officials about the heightened risk of state-sponsored sabotage linked to countries such as Russia and Iran, particularly in light of ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.
“Since March 2017, MI5 has thwarted 43 plots at advanced stages of planning, with organizers often on the verge of executing mass attacks,” McCallum stated. He pointed out that approximately 75% of the agency’s efforts focus on Islamist extremism, while the remaining quarter address far-right extremist groups.
“We are acutely aware that events in the Middle East can directly trigger terrorist actions in the UK,” he added. Despite a rise in public disorder and hate crimes, he noted that this unrest has yet to manifest as a significant increase in terrorist activity.
McCallum specifically called out ISIS as being firmly back in focus for the agency. Five years after the collapse of ISIS’s self-proclaimed caliphate in Iraq and Syria, the group has transformed into a global terror network with cells operating in Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. “After being subdued for a time, they have resumed efforts to spread terrorism,” he said. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda has sought to exploit ongoing conflicts in the region by calling for violent actions.
Threats from Russia and Iran
McCallum also discussed the direct threats posed by Russia’s GRU intelligence agency, stating that it is undertaking a “sustained mission to create chaos on British and European streets,” engaging in various acts of sabotage and arson.
He revealed that since the beginning of 2022, MI5 and British police have addressed 20 terrorist plots linked to Iran on British soil. “MI5 faces immense challenges,” McCallum explained, underscoring the shift from traditional terrorist threats to state-sponsored undertakings involving assassination and sabotage.
His remarks come amid escalated concerns over Russian aggression, particularly following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. McCallum noted that despite the expulsion of over 750 Russian diplomats from Europe, many of whom were suspected spies, the threat of aggression in the UK remains.
The GRU has been accused of orchestrating high-profile attacks, including cyber warfare and interference in U.S. elections. In February, FBI Director Christopher Wray highlighted the disruption of over 1,000 hacked routers linked to the GRU that were used in espionage efforts against the U.S. and its allies.
Regarding emerging trends, McCallum pointed out the disturbing increase in minors implicated in terrorism, notably driven by far-right propaganda that adeptly taps into online culture. He cited recent convictions of British teenagers involved in plotting attacks or promoting extremist ideologies.
“We will continue to be vigilant and adaptive to these evolving threats,” McCallum concluded, reiterating the need for a coordinated response to ensure community safety and national security.
Credit: CNN
