Putin to blame for rising IS threat to UK, says MI6
Russia’s war in Syria fuels extremism and raises terror attack risk
ISLAMIC State cells are exploiting the chaos caused by Vladimir Putin in Syria to plot deadly attacks against the UK, the head of MI6 warned yesterday.
In an extremely rare public speech, Alex Younger said the threat to Britain was unprecedented, with 12 major plots foiled in the past three years.
The intelligence chief also warned that cyber attacks, propaganda and subversion from hostile states such as Russia pose a fundamental threat to European democracies. Mr Younger warned that Britain’s interests are being threatened by a string of conflicts and crises.
He said that by seeking to turn Syria into a ‘desert’ Mr Putin was helping to create a failed state where extremism can flourish and attacks be plotted.
The man known as C gave his bleak assessment in the first ever speech delivered from inside the MI6 HQ by a serving chief of the Secret Intelligence Service. In reference to Britain, Mr Younger told an invited audience: ‘The scale of the terrorist threat is unprecedented.
‘The UK intelligence and security services have disrupted 12 terrorist plots in the UK since June 2013. And MI5 and the police continue to run hundreds of investigations into those intent on carrying out or supporting terrorist atrocities against our citizens.
‘As I speak, the highly organised external attack planning structures within Daesh (IS), even as they face military threat, are plotting ways to project violence against the UK and our allies without ever having to leave Syria.’
IS fanatics are feared to be directing attacks in the UK in the way Al Qaeda did in the past. They are also pumping out the propaganda which inspires people based in the UK to plot attacks in the IS name. ‘Lone wolf’ attackers in Britain are also being urged to strike in Britain using social media and the internet.
Mr Younger condemned Mr Putin’s actions in Syria which he suggested were making a terror attack in the
‘The human tragedy is heartbreaking’
UK more likely. Security officials argue Russia’s bombing is fuelling extremism. ‘I believe the Russian conduct in Syria, allied with that of Assad’s discredited regime, will, if they do not change course, provide a tragic example of the perils of forfeiting legitimacy,’ Mr Younger said.
‘In defining as a terrorist anyone who opposes a brutal government, they alienate precisely that group that has to be on side if the extremists are to be defeated.
‘Meanwhile, in Aleppo, Russia and the Syrian regime seek to make a desert and call it a place. The human tragedy is heartbreaking.’
Mr Younger said cyber attacks, propaganda and subversion from hostile states – tactics Russia has used in Ukraine – were a danger. He added: ‘The risks at stake are profound and represent a fundamental threat to our sovereignty.’
Yesterday Theresa May said mass migration had become a more ‘pronounced’ global security threat in the past year. The latest national security strategy warns the ‘threat from terrorism is more acute and more complex than ever before’.
Today the Home Secretary will be warned that as many as 1,750 jihadists who went to fight in Syria and Iraq have returned home to Europe where they could have orders to launch fresh attacks.
EU counter-terrorism co-ordinator Gilles de Kerchove will tell Amber Rudd and European counterparts that some jihadists have been sent back on specific missions and could be plotting havoc on home soil.
Women and children who travelled with their husbands and fathers are seen as part of the threat.