Defiant supporters turned out to support the Merton Armed Forces Day parade today after an Islamic State suicide bombing is reported to have been foiled.
A planned attack on the parade was set to target soldiers from the same unit as murdered soldier Lee Rigby, according to The Sun.
The paper claims a plot to detonate a pressure cooker bomb on the route failed after a Syrian leader unwittingly recruited one of its undercover reporters to carry out the atrocity.
@PoppyLegion Merton Armed Forces Day. pic.twitter.com/sT2giWFkVy
— Lorraine Watson (@lcwats321) June 27, 2015
It is alleged that an ISIS figure, named in the report as Junaid Hussain from Birmingham, told the investigator: “It will be big. We will hit the kuffar (unbelievers) hard InshAllah.
“Hit their soldiers in their own land. InshAllah. Soldiers that served in Iraq and Afganistan will be present. Jump in the crowd and detonate the bomb.
“They think they can kill Muslims in Iraq and Afghanistan then come back to the UK and be safe. We’ll hit them hard InshAllah.”
It’s believed that ISIS targeted the Merton parade as it is the nearest one near the Woolwich barracks where Lee Rigby was murdered in 2013.
This failed plot comes the day after terrorist attacks took place in Tunisia, France and Kuwait killing more than 60 people.
Despite the threat, many attended the event to support those who serve in the forces.
One attendee James Clark tweeted: “Off to support the Merton Armed Forces Day parade, not so much in spite of today’s foiled terror threat as in defiance of it.”
Off to support the Merton Armed Forces Day parade, not so much in spite of today’s foiled terror threat as in defiance of it. — James Clark (@James_C_Clark) June 27, 2015
Wimbledon Park Councillor Oonagh Moulton said: “Disturbed to hear that a plot to disrupt our Merton Council Armed Forces Day Parade was foiled – flag raising must go on.”
Disturbed to hear that a plot to disrupt our @Merton_Council Armed Forces Day Parade was foiled – flag raising must go on #ArmedForcesDay
— Oonagh Moulton (@oonaghmoulton) June 27, 2015
A Scotland Yard spokesman said: “The police, together with our security partners, remain alert to terrorist threats that may manifest here or where individuals overseas may seek to direct or inspire others to commit attacks in and against the UK.
“It is always helpful when journalists share with us information, as The Sun did in this case, that could indicate terrorist or criminal activity.
“Attacks yesterday show the global nature of terrorism and the threat level in the UK from international terrorism remains unchanged at severe.
“While the UK threat level from international terrorism remains severe, we would like to reassure the public that we constantly review security plans for public events, taking into account specific intelligence and the wider threat.
“Our priority is the safety and security for all those attending or involved, the public are encouraged to continue with their plans to attend or take part in events as normal.
“We would also like to reiterate our long-standing advice to remain vigilant and alert. As ever we would urge the public to get in touch to report anything suspicious by calling the confidential anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 or in an emergency by calling 999.”
Picture courtesy of Stirling Council, with thanks
