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‘NOT A ONE-OFF’

ISIS used Sri Lanka as a ‘test run’ for fresh campaign of massive terror attacks on Western holiday hotspots, experts warn

ISIS may have lost its caliphate but concern is growing that large numbers of cells are at large all over Europe

BRITISH spooks fear more Sri Lanka type atrocities as ISIS focus their attacks on tourist destinations.

MI5 believe the death cult is plotting a fresh wave of carnage in Britain and Europe by using "crocodile cells" made up of sleeper jihadis.

 ISIS may have lost its caliphate but concern is growing that large numbers of cells are at large all over Europe
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ISIS may have lost its caliphate but concern is growing that large numbers of cells are at large all over Europe

It comes as ISIS terror chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi appeared in footage for the first time in almost five years.

The new video was released to prove he's still alive and to justify the the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka.

Charlie Winter, of the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation at King's College London, told : “Now that ISIS has been defeated in Syria and Iraq, it will become more violent outside this area.  

“It's a grim outlook, but we are likely to see more attempts at attacks, more regularly, for the foreseeable future.

“Sri Lanka was not a one-off. If anything, it was a test run.”

'SRI LANKA KILLER MENTORED BY BRIT MANIACS'

It comes amid the disclosure that a ringleader of Sri Lanka's Easter massacre was "mentored" by a group of British terrorists in Syria.

Western intelligence circles think that Abdul Lathief Jameel Mohamed, who studied in the UK, was lured by Britons to ISIS’s “caliphate" for terror training.

The Times reports he may have been sent back to Sri Lanka to plot last Sunday's suicide attacks on churches and tourists hotels, which killed 253, including eight UK nationals.

His teachers included the infamous ISIS executioner known as Jihadi John.

Meanwhile suspected terrorists were in custody in Paris last night accused of planning an “extremely violent” attack against France’s security services and “national institutions“.

One is a teenager who had already been sent to prison for three years for travelling to Syria to join Islamic State.

The male suspects – who have not been named – were arrested last Friday, during a period of heightened security across the country.

 The Sri Lankan bombers pose in front of an ISIS flag before their attack
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The Sri Lankan bombers pose in front of an ISIS flag before their attackCredit: AFP
 Security forces inspect the scene after the deadly blast at The Cinnamon Grand Hotel
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Security forces inspect the scene after the deadly blast at The Cinnamon Grand HotelCredit: Getty - Contributor
 British student Nisanga Mayadume was eating breakfast with her family when one of the bombs was set off at the Shangri-La hotel
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British student Nisanga Mayadume was eating breakfast with her family when one of the bombs was set off at the Shangri-La hotelCredit: Facebook
 The tragic last picture of Nisanga and her family eating breakfast before the fatal explosion
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The tragic last picture of Nisanga and her family eating breakfast before the fatal explosionCredit: Facebook
 Al-Baghdadi is heard addressing ISIS' defeat and revenge attacks
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Al-Baghdadi is heard addressing ISIS' defeat and revenge attacks
 The ISIS leader's devoted followers are shown with their faces masked and blurred
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The ISIS leader's devoted followers are shown with their faces masked and blurred
 The footage appears to show al-Baghdadi alive and well despite numerous reports of his death
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The footage appears to show al-Baghdadi alive and well despite numerous reports of his deathCredit: AFP or licensors

 

ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi 'seen in new video for the first time in five years'


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