02 August 2023 | Deep Dive, Islamist Terrorism
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI, Junior Threat Analyst Read Time: 10 minutes The former leader of al-Qa’ida, Ayman al-Zawahiri, was reportedly killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan on 31 July 2022. al-Qa’ida has not yet confirmed the death of al-Zawahiri or announced a new leader. As of 27 March 2023, a United Nations (UN) report has stated that an individual known as Saif-al-Adel is now considered the de facto Emir (leader) of al-Qa’ida by member states.[1] As of 15 March 2023, the US State Department has agreed that al-Adel is now the de facto Emir.[2] This...
19 July 2023 | Threat Analysis, Threat Landscape
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI, Junior Threat Analyst Read Time: 3 minutes Tags: On 18 July 2023, the UK Government launched CONTEST 2023, an updated version of the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy. CONTEST was first launched in 2003 and is made up of four key pillars; Prevent, Pursue, Protect, and Prepare. The strategy’s mission is to “reduce the risk from terrorism to the UK, its citizens and interests overseas, so that people can go about their lives freely and with confidence”.[1] As part of the updated strategy launch, Home Secretary Suella Braverman gave an...
18 July 2023 | State Threat, Threat Analysis
Author: Oliver Hair ASyI, Junior Threat Analyst Read Time: 5 minutes Tags: Pool Re’s Threat Awareness Team have previously explored reports which suggested that the UK was preparing to proscribe Russia’s Wagner Group as a terrorist organisation.[1] On 23 June 2023, the leader of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, reportedly attempted a rebellion in Russia. In this article, Pool Re explore what impact the Wagner Group’s rebellion could have for the group, their global strategy, and the terrorism threat posed to the UK. Timeline of the Mutiny On 23 June 2023,...
17 July 2023 | Islamist Terrorism, Threat Analysis
Author: Becca Stewart ASyI, Threat Analyst Read Time: 3 minutes Tags: On Thursday 6 July, nine individuals were arrested in a joint anti-terrorist operation by German, Dutch, and Belgian police. Seven individuals were arrested in Germany accused of founding a “domestic terrorist group” and supporting Islamic State (IS). Two others were arrested in the Netherlands on suspicion of “committing preparatory acts for terrorism offences”.[1] The group allegedly have links to Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), the regional IS affiliate group based in Afghanistan....
