MI5 raises Northern Ireland terror threat level to ‘serious’

LONDON – Britain’s MI5 intelligence service raised the terror threat level in Northern Ireland to “serious” on Tuesday amid increased activity by militant dissident Irish republicans.

Severe is the second highest rung on a five-point scale and means that an attack is considered highly likely. The threat had remained one level lower at “substantial” for the past year.

Paramilitary groups in Northern Ireland laid down their arms after the 1998 Good Friday peace deal largely ended three decades of violent conflict between loyalist Irish and British republican groups and UK security forces that killed to more than 3,600 people. But small splinter groups of the Irish Republican Army have continued to launch sporadic attacks on security forces.

The UK’s Northern Ireland Secretary, Chris Heaton-Harris, said: “In recent months, we have seen increased levels of activity related to Northern Ireland-related terrorism, which has targeted agents of police who serve their communities and has also put the lives of children at risk. other members of the public.

He urged people to “stay alert but not be alarmed.”

Police officer John Caldwell was shot by two masked men last month while he was training a children’s soccer team in the town of Omagh, some 60 miles (almost 100 kilometers) west of Belfast. Police say he suffered life-changing injuries.

An IRA splinter group known as the New IRA claimed responsibility.

The change in threat level comes ahead of events marking the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday deal.

american president Joe Biden He is expected to visit Northern Ireland to mark the anniversary. Major players in the peace process, including the former US president. Bill Clinton and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will also be in Belfast for commemorative events.

The threat level for the rest of the UK remains substantial, meaning an attack is considered likely.