MI5 director Ken McCallum revealed in a public speech that there has been a significant increase in assassination attempts on UK soil by hostile states such as Russia and Iran. The number of state-threat investigations undertaken by MI5 has risen by 48 percent in the past year, with China also being a main perpetrator alongside Iran and Russia.
McCallum expressed concern over the rising threats from these countries, noting that Iran has been involved in 20 plots since 2022 and could escalate targets if Israel retaliates. Russian state actors are increasingly using proxies, such as criminals, to carry out attacks, with the GRU being particularly active in generating chaos in the UK and Europe.
The official terror threat level in the UK stands at “substantial,” indicating a likely attack, and MI5 has disrupted 43 late-stage terror plots since 2017. McCallum also warned about the resurgence of ISIL, fueled by online propaganda that is easily accessible to young people. He highlighted the influence of internet memes in driving extremist ideologies, particularly in the case of extreme right-wing terrorism.
McCallum emphasized the challenges faced by MI5 in combating both terrorist threats and state-backed aggression while dealing with the evolving dynamics of geopolitical conflicts. As the UK navigates these complex threats, intelligence agencies are putting forth significant efforts to protect the country and its citizens from external dangers.
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