Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, has issued a statement in regard to the attack at London Bridge and Borough Market.
My statement on the cowardly terrorist attack in London tonight: https://t.co/PaGXogN60N
Please continue to follow @metpoliceuk for updates pic.twitter.com/AcGaju2Svp— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) June 4, 2017
As we wait for the Metropolitan Police and other British authorities to provide further information, please take note that a variety of social media accounts, both automated bots and the alt-right, are using bogus imagery and information for their own particular ends.
Bots and alt-right accounts are sharing fake video claiming to be from the #LondonAttacks pic.twitter.com/JqMvEPNqwW
— The OSINT (@theosint) June 3, 2017
Unfortunately not everyone has gotten the message!
That a major news organization had to say this about the President of the United States is something else. pic.twitter.com/UHPalFCKQQ
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) June 3, 2017
Bjorn Stritzel of Bild reported that ISIS has been promoting these types of attacks:
ISIS channels published this graphic earlier today, calling for attacks. Looks almost like a check list now. pic.twitter.com/c9ku3Pkebd
— Björn Stritzel (@bjoernstritzel) June 3, 2017
(Before anyone asks, that is a full sized Springfield Armory XDM and based on the size of the muzzle I’m relatively sure it is a .45 ACP in caliber)
James Cox of The Sun has reported that the explosions are controlled detonations:
Just had confirmation explosions in London Bridge area are controlled and police monitored
— James Cox (@jcoxwriter) June 4, 2017
NBC has reported that a number of folks fought back in a very British sort of way:
JUST IN: Witness to @NBCNightlyNews: People used pint glasses and chairs to fight back as at least 1 attacker entered a pub in London.
— NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews) June 4, 2017
Until more information comes in it is important to remember that no matter how good law enforcement, intelligence and counter-terrorism services are, it is virtually impossible to stop every act of terrorism. Especially in a liberal democracy where freedom of movement, speech, association, and religion is valued and protected. This is largely because of resources and not limited just to money. There is only so much time and so many personnel to go around. As a result people and their plans are going to slip through the cracks.
Just yesterday the Irish authorities were able to break up an IRA plot for a massive car bomb in Dublin.
A massive New IRA bomb plot was foiled after gardai seized a staggering 6kg (13.2lb) of explosives in Dublin’s north-inner city.
Heavily armed detectives carrying sub-machine guns stopped a seven-seater taxi during a dramatic arrest in Ballybough shortly after 6pm yesterday.
Gardai, aided by the army and the bomb disposal unit, arrested two men and seized the lethal explosives.
Investigating gardaí now believe the material seized is TNT. It was initially believed to be semtex.
The arrests are part of an ongoing investigation by the Special Detective Unit (SDU) into dissident republican activity.
The Herald can reveal that:
- A massive 6kg of explosives, as well as detonators, were recovered.
- The new, military grade explosives were recently sourced and brought into the State.
- Two men were arrested at the scene, one with close links to the New IRA.
It has also emerged that the second man arrested has no known connections to any criminal gang, leading to fears of a new recruitment drive by the dissident republican terror group.
Armed gardai also raided the house of a politician’s relative, who has close ties to one of the men arrested.
A senior source last night stated that the explosives recovered were “big enough to blow up a street”.
Damage
The explosives “would have caused serious damage if used. It is a major catch for gardai,” said the source.
With relatively easy access to the Internet and social media the drift into radicalization and extremism is easier than ever. And harder to detect and stop. If these attacks are inspired/coordinated by ISIS, then expect to see more of them as they are squeezed and ultimately run out of the physical caliphate they attempted to establish in the Levant. Such attacks will be an attempt to pressure coalition members to abandon the US led coalition against ISIS.
Update on the London Bridge and Borough Market AttackPost + Comments (167)