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Northern Ireland: the level of terrorist threat raised

The British government announced on Tuesday March 28 the raising of the level of terrorist threat from “significant” to “serious” in Northern Ireland.

Northern Ireland on high alert. The British government announced on Tuesday March 28 the raising of the level of terrorist threat in Northern Ireland, from “significant” to “serious”.

The British Minister for Northern Ireland, Chris Heaton-Harris, clarified in a written statement to Parliament the meaning of this act. The latter assured that an attack is considered “highly probable”, while calling on the public to remain “vigilant” without being “alarmed”.

“Over the past 25 years, Northern Ireland has transformed into a peaceful society” (…) however, a small number of people remain determined to harm our people through politically motivated acts of violence”, detailed text.

A police officer targeted by two masked gunmen

With this decision, taken in consultation with MI5, the elected official underlined “the increase in the level of terrorist activity”, referring to the recent attempted murder of a police officer.

On February 22, police officer John Caldwell was storing footballs in his car after a training session with his son when he was targeted by two masked gunmen in Omagh. Despite numerous gunshots, he escaped death but is in critical, although stable, condition.

Thirteen arrests were made in connection with the attempted murder, claimed by the New IRA splinter group, according to The Guardian. The same source added that the group was also behind an attempted murder bombing of two police officers in Strabane last November.

The terrorist threat level has been increased a year, almost to the day, after being lowered for the first time in 12 years in the country. This decision comes as part of a trip by US President Joe Biden to Ireland and Northern Ireland to celebrate the Belfast Agreement. Signed on April 10, 1998, the latter put an end to the 31 years of bloody unrest, which claimed nearly 3,500 victims, between the two countries.

Written by Mark Antoine

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