Manchester blast: IS threat still strong

At least 22 people have been killed and another 59 injured when a powerful bomb ripped through a music concert in Manchester, Britain. Several of those wounded have life-threatening injuries, so the death toll could rise in the coming days. Terror group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the blast. The British police have arrested a man in connection with the attack but have provided no details on his role. Monday’s attack is the deadliest on the British soil since suicide bombers attacked the London Underground in July 2005, claiming the lives of 52 people. It appears that a single terrorist carried out the attack in Manchester and the blast was intended to inflict maximum possible damage; the bomb used was a nail-filled explosive device. The terrorist seems to have detonated the device minutes after the end of the concert. What makes this attack particularly reprehensible is that it was targeted at youngsters. Ariana Grande, the American singer performing at the concert has a large following among teenagers, who formed the bulk of the audience at the Manchester Arena. Several of the victims were mere adolescents. In the mayhem that followed, children were separated from their parents and some are reported missing.   

Only two months ago, an IS terrorist drove a car through the crowds in London’s Westminster Bridge, killing four people. Security across Britain has been tight especially since a terrorist attack was considered “highly likely.” Indeed MI5, Britain’s domestic intelligence service, had set the terror threat level at “severe.” It is likely that security at the concert area was tight. Concerts have been targeted by terrorists in the past; in November 2015, for instance, terrorists carried out coordinated attacks across Paris that included one at the Bataclan concert hall. British authorities will have to identify security gaps that abetted the assault in Manchester.

The Manchester attack has happened at a sensitive time. Britain goes to the polls on June 8 and political parties are in the midst of the election campaign. So far, the campaign has focused on policy issues such as healthcare and education. The Manchester blast could prompt a shift in focus to concerns over counter-terrorism, public safety, security etc. Politicians must avoid divisive and incendiary rhetoric. Challenges loom for the next government. The British intelligence agencies estimate that around 850 people from Britain have gone to Iraq and Syria to support the IS and other jihadist organisations fighting there. Several have returned home, and with the IS group losing territory there, more will return in the coming months. The returnees are highly radicalised, battle-hardened and dangerous. They will be looking to continue their fight on British soil.