ISIS downfall could see Al-Qaeda make blood-soaked return, MI6 intelligence chief warns
TERROR group Al-Qaeda could make a bloody and terrifying return after the collapse of ISIS, a top intelligence boss has warned.
By Rachel O’Donoghue
DailyStar.co.uk
17th February 2019
Alex Younger, Britain’s foreign intelligence chief at MI6, said that as ISIS becomes weaker it could see Al-Qaeda grow stronger.
The Sunni Muslim terror group became infamous in 2001 in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks that were masterminded by Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.
Discussing the United States’ decision to pull the remaining American troops from Syria after claiming “victory” over the so-called Islamic State, Mr Younger said this could aid the other terror group.
He said: “Al-Qaeda, which has always been in a rivalry, and almost zero-sum relationship with Daesh (ISIS), has, I think, undergone a certain resurgence as a result of the degradation of Daesh.
“It is definitely not down and out.”
Mr Younger also said the UK had been strengthening its security to deal with issues that have arisen as a result of the collapse of ISIS.
This includes how to deal with ISIS brides, such as Bethnal Green schoolgirl Shamima Begum, and battle-hardened jihadis attempted to make it back to UK soil.
He explained: “We are very concerned about this because all experience tells us that once someone has put themselves in that sort of position they are likely to have acquired the skills and connections that make them potentially very dangerous.
“The reality is that so far, it has been a completely manageable problem.
“I can’t predict accurately what will happen in future, but it’s a very complex environment.”
The thought of a strengthened Al-Qaeda will undoubtedly send chills down the spines of international leader.
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