Rome and Milan next on ISIS terror hitlist
29.05.2020 06:46
About 2.5 million Brits visit Italy every year, and concerns have been raised that American and UK tourists abroad could be prime targets because of the two countries' involvement in Iraq and Syria.
The US embassy has warned of potential militant attacks and has urged its citizens visiting Rome and Milan to be on the lookout when visiting well-known sites.
ISIS has made no secret of its desire to attack the UK and US, with a video released today pledging to launch an attack on New York.
One avenue for militants to attack Brits, without breaching our borders, is targeting holidaymakers, as with the Tunisia beach massacre which killed 38 people, including 30 Britons.
The Foreign Office says there is a "heightened threat of a terrorist attack globally" against UK interests and British nationals, from groups motivated by the conflicts in Iraq and Syria.
It said there is a "general threat" currently in italy, and that tourists should be vigilant at this time.
Italian security services are currently searching for five terror suspects and US authorities of potential attacks in Milan and Rome.
Paolo Gentiloni, Italy's foreign minister, referred to "possible terrorist attacks" on St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, or the cathedral or La Scala theatre in Milan.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "There is a general threat from terrorism in Italy. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreigners.
"There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals, from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria. You should be vigilant at this time."
They added that advice for travel to Italy or its terrorism threat has not changed since the Paris attacks on Friday, which killed 129 people, including Briton Nick Alexander.
The US embassy in Rome said in a message to its citizens that, alongside big tourist destinations, churches, synagogues, restaurants, theatres and hotels in the country's two main cities could also be targets.
Italy has raised its security alert level to two, the highest possible in the absence of a direct attack, in the wake of ISIS gunmen and bombers killing 129 people in Paris on Friday.
Mr Gentiloni said: "As of yesterday our security forces are working to identify five people." He added that the US embassy' was not recommending that its citizens should avoid Italy.
He also said Italy was ready to help its "French brothers" in the fight against ISIS.
Today, France extended its State of Emergency to three months, while PM Manuel Valls warned ISIS could start using chemical weapons against them.
(dailystar.co.uk)
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