ISIS claims its ‘soldier’ carried out UK Parliament attack

The agency said: “A soldier of the Islamic State carried out the attack, responding to a call for attacking citizens of coalition states."

It seems to suggest the attacker was inspired by IS, rather than being a trained fighter of the terrorist group.

A handy @nytimes graphic pointing out difference between IS actually carrying out an attack and it 'inspiring' them https://t.co/axTQ4aGOSx pic.twitter.com/GqZJgbjC00

— Patrick Galey (@patrickgaley) March 23, 2017

ISIS claim issued in English, Arabic, French and German. Yes, aimed at “enemy” but aimed at supporters too. IS needs to boostmorale. #london

— Jason Burke (@burke_jason) March 23, 2017

Amaq News Agency is a propaganda and news outlet for IS.

It was established in Syria in 2014 as an alternative to Western media coverage. It became more widely known after it began reporting apparent claims of responsibility for terrorist attacks in Western countries.

ISIS claims Westminster attack. pic.twitter.com/MSQFw8ukuQ

— Björn Stritzel (@bjoernstritzel) March 23, 2017

18/ As usual, ISIS is now publishing their claim of responsibility for #London attack in various languages. Here in English &French. @akhbar pic.twitter.com/SHq61LqQ9h

— Jenan Moussa (@jenanmoussa) March 23, 2017

The attacker is not among the 3,000 Britons on MI5’s list of individuals regarded as potentially capable of committing an act of domestic terrorism, the Guardian reports.

Around 3,000 Britons, mainly Islamists, are monitored because police suspect they may be capable of an attack. Of them, 500 are subject to active investigations and only a limited number of those become the targets of physical surveillance.

The newspaper says the attacker was not on that list.

3) #ISIS supporters online celebrating #London #Parliament attack as "blood with blood" & revenge for #UK strikes in #Mosul. pic.twitter.com/ws1nUGAcgi

— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) March 22, 2017

Earlier on Thursday, UK Prime Minister Theresa May said officials will release the attacker’s name “when operational considerations allow.”

She said the attacker was “British born” and had earlier been investigated by MI5 for links to violent extremism.

May says police believe the man acted alone and there is no reason to believe “imminent further attacks” are planned.

“Our working assumption is that the attacker was inspired by Islamist ideology. We know the threat from Islamist terrorism is very real. But while the public should remain utterly vigilant, they should not and will not be cowed by this threat.”

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