MI5 raises terror alert level for Northern Ireland

class=”sc-3778e872-0 gWjAEa”>

Shortly before the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement, the British secret service MI5 raised the terror alert for Northern Ireland. This means an attack in the formerly troubled province is considered “highly likely” – the second highest level.

British Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris (55) warned in London on Tuesday that a small number of people are determined to commit “politically motivated violence”. He called on the public to be vigilant.

Controversy over special rules

The Good Friday Agreement of 10 April 1998 ended the decades-long armed conflict between the predominantly Catholic supporters of a unification of the two parts of Ireland and the predominantly Protestant supporters of Northern Ireland’s union with Great Britain. It is expected that US President Joe Biden (80) will also be present at the celebration in the Northern Irish capital Belfast next month. The exact date is not yet known.

Britain’s departure from the EU has disrupted the well-balanced relationship between supporters and opponents of Irish unity. The background is that the border between British Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, which has long since become invisible, became the external border of the EU with Brexit. Although Brussels and London have settled their dispute over special rules for Northern Ireland, the largest Protestant party, the DUP, rejects the compromise.

On the Catholic-Republican side, armed splinter groups of the former paramilitary organization IRA are still active. They would also be behind an attack on a police officer a few weeks ago. (SDA)

Source: Blick