The Islamic State has released a video suggesting it may carry out further attacks in the West, mentioning London, Berlin, and Rome as possible targets. However, this author suggests that the United States namely New York is a suggested Target on top on this list right below the UK.
The video features a member of the group stating in English that the recent attacks in Paris and Brussels should be seen as a “cautionary message” to nations fighting Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL).
The narrator goes on to state that “Allah knows” where the next attack will be, and mentions the British, Italian, and German capitals as possibilities.
Islamic State Video (click link that appears)
The United Kingdom is part of the US-led coalition against IS, which continues to strike terror camps in Iraq and Syria. Although Germany and Italy are not part of the airstrikes, Berlin has supplied military personnel and reconnaissance jets to be used in the fight against IS. In response to the Paris terror attacks in November, Rome vowed to spend about US$1.1 billion on security and defense, and an additional €1 billion on “culture,” which Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi claimed was “stronger than ignorance.”
The chilling warning comes after Salah Abdeslam, a member of the evil terrorist organisation, also known as Daesh, was arrested in Belgium last week and a “mass of intelligence” was seized.
Belgian intelligence officers trawled through his communications to get an idea of the jihadis’ intended next move and uncovered the sickening fact that the UK was likely to be attacked next.
They have sifted through documents, e-mails and phone numbers taken from the Paris attackers.
Senior espionage sources said: “We know Britain is going to be attacked. There are jihadis inside and outside Britain who want to attack us.
“The UK is at the second highest threat state – severe. That means that an attack is highly likely.”
The terrorists are less sophisticated now than they were when they targeted the London transport system 11 years ago but just as deadly.
Security service MI5 has revealed they are focussing on “soft targets” such as crowded public spaces and the transport network because security focus have done such a good job protecting the public from “spectacular” plots such as midair attacks on aircraft, MI5 said.
The source added: “These are independent groups, probably led by seasoned terrorists who have returned from fighting in Syria.
“They are not working to any specific timetable or target list. These are secure, active service units, which are very difficult to penetrate.
“Some are on our radar, others are not, and they are the ones we’re worried about.
“The targets have changed – they are less sophisticated than they were a few years ago but they are just as deadly.”
You can ignore the inevitable and say security will prevent Terrorist from entering countries like the UK, Italy, Germany and the Uinted States but they are already in place. They only have to get through once. You can quote all the statistics on how many plots have been foiled but the terrorists do get through and attacks are inevitable and eminent.
IS is stirring up its terrorist attacks because they are loosing ground and militants are being killed en masse. Footage of potential Western targets are spliced with barbaric footage of executions and beheadings which have become synonymous with Islamic State.
Barbaric footage shows ISIS militants beheading and slaughtering opponents as it boasts its jihadis ’embody the meaning of manhood’.
But despite bold proclamations within the propaganda footage, ISIS has seen its fighters ‘wiped out’ as the group has been forced back from key positions across Syria.
Most notably, ISIS was driven out of Palmyra last week and Russian forces have now entered the city to clear the area of booby traps left by militants.
Meanwhile, RAF air strikes have killed more than 170 Islamic State fighters in seven days.
A total of 130 people were killed in a co-ordinated series of ISIS attacks in Paris last November last month and 32 people were killed in three suicide bombs plotted by the terror group in Brussels.
Just last week the terror group attempted to lure new recruits by releasing footage of its own dead fighters – claiming to show them ‘at peace with Allah’.
Mohamed Abrini, who was involved in the bombing of Zaventem Airport, is believed to have travelled to Birmingham last year before November’s attacks on Paris.
The 31-year-old Moroccan is believed to be responsible for sending more than 60 fighters from Syria to attack Britain, France, Germany and Belgium.
Further intelligence is believed to have been gathered from the homes of brothers Khalid and Ibrahim El Bakraoui, the suicide bombers who blew themselves up at the airport and at Maalbeek Metro station, just meters away from key EU buildings.
It also emerged this week that the SAS has relocated one of its counter-terrorist teams from Hereford to a secure base near London, while Amy bomb disposal units have been placed on high alert across the country.
MI5 assesses the threat level to the UK based on how likely it is an attack will happen.
The five threat levels range from low, when an attack is unlikely, to critical, when an attack is expected imminently.
Severe, the UK’s current threat level, is second highest on the list and means an attack is highly likely.
About the author: Scott Bernstein is the CEO of Global Security International LLC headquartered in NYC. He has extensive experience as an Counter terrorist Consultant, International Apprehension Operative, Human & Sex Trafficking Expert and a Military and Law Enforcement Trainer. He is available for speaking engagements globally. He has been recognized as a leading authority by the international media by his peers and colleagues. In addition to his LinkedIn profile, you can also interact with Scott on his LinkedIn group http://bit.ly/1LMp2hj