With the recent video by the radical islamic group ISIS the fear over terrorism has never been greater in the UK. The implication is that impressionable young men and women could be convinced into committing terrorist acts at the behest of the group. It has been reported that a British jihadist has claimed the UK should be in fear of the skills he’s picked up after fighting in Syria.
Twenty year old Nasser Muthana is believed to have posted images of improvised bombs from his Twitter account. There is a warning plastered next to the bombs that reads “So the UK is afraid I come back with the skills I’ve gained.” Muthana is a native of Cardiff and appeared in the ISIS recruitment video last month.
Muthana has also depicted himself showing a home-made weapon. This is reported to have been acquired from an enemy Shia Muslim. He has claimed pride with the following statement: “Look what we found on this shi’i, glad tidings we’ll make sure his head is detachable.”
The young radical has referred to himself as “a soldier of the Islamic State of Iraq and Sham.” His convictions are reported to stem from “a book that guides and a sword that supports it.” His seventeen year old brother Aseel is also fighting beside him and told the BBC that he is willing to martyr himself for Allah. Aseel was asked whether he had any regrets about leaving the UK. His response was “Nope. I can say I am willing to die but Allah knows the truth behind the words.
Aseel stated that he stood by the Sharia law of Islam when asked how he could defend the brutality of the ISIS killings. He’s ambivalent to what people in the UK think of him and expressed a desire for his family to live with him in Syria. According to the Aseel he is aware of “loads” of other men who have joined the cause.
The father of the brother’s Ahmed Muthana has stated that “I think they are trapped in the situation and that makes it hard for them to come back or leave the place. I think they are being forced into posting these things because my kids are not like this.” He has expressed hope for his children’s safe return.
It’s believed that a third Cardiff man named Reyaad Khan alludes to graphic references of slaughtering a group of people based on comments found on a social media account. A photograph of the killings has also been posted on the same account. This is said to have also been carried out by ISIS.
This comes with the news that a fourth Cardiff resident has been connected with terrorism offenses. An 18 year old was seized under the section 5 of the Terrorist Act 2006 for assisting in preparing a terrorism act. Although the teenager was questioned he was not linked to Muthana or Khan. The 18 year old has been released on bail pending further investigation.