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Ministers drew up 'kill' list of British jihadis fighting with Isis in Syria Ministers drew up 'kill' list of British jihadis fighting with Isis in Syria
(about 1 hour later)
A list of names of several British jihadis was drawn up at the meeting of senior National Security Council members that approved the first UK drone strike on Syria, it has emerged. A list of names of several British jihadis was drawn up at the meeting of senior national security council members that approved the first UK drone strike on Syria, it has emerged.
Several names were identified for targeting at the NSC meeting. Downing Street said the meeting, held several months ago and chaired by David Cameron, was convened to discuss how to protect the British people in the face of threats from “a number of individuals”.Several names were identified for targeting at the NSC meeting. Downing Street said the meeting, held several months ago and chaired by David Cameron, was convened to discuss how to protect the British people in the face of threats from “a number of individuals”.
Families of jihadis fighting with Islamic State have voiced concerns that the British government has drawn up a “hit list” of targets to be struck. In a series of broadcast interviews on Tuesday morning, the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, denied that ministers had drawn up a “kill list”. Families of jihadis fighting with Islamic State have voiced concerns that the British government has drawn up a “hitlist” of targets to be struck. In a series of broadcast interviews on Tuesday morning, the defence secretary, Michael Fallon, denied ministers had drawn up a “kill list”.
Fallon indicated that the government was preparing the ground for further attacks, and said Isis militants had their own targets.Fallon indicated that the government was preparing the ground for further attacks, and said Isis militants had their own targets.
He told Good Morning Britain on ITV1: “They have a kill list, they have plans to mount a series of attacks on Britain and our job is to identify those attacks, identify the terrorists and where we can forestall them. But if you’re asking me would we hesitate to take similar action again today, tomorrow, next week – absolutely not, we would not hesitate.” He told Good Morning Britain on ITV1: “They have a kill list. They have plans to mount a series of attacks on Britain and our job is to identify those attacks, identify the terrorists and where we can forestall them. But if you’re asking me would we hesitate to take similar action again today, tomorrow, next week – absolutely not, we would not hesitate.”
The prime minister’s spokeswoman indicated that ministers considered a list of jihadi targets that went beyond Reyaad Khan, who was killed in an RAF drone strike on 24 August. Ruhul Amin, another British Isis fighter who was not a formal target, was also killed in the strike.The prime minister’s spokeswoman indicated that ministers considered a list of jihadi targets that went beyond Reyaad Khan, who was killed in an RAF drone strike on 24 August. Ruhul Amin, another British Isis fighter who was not a formal target, was also killed in the strike.
A third Briton, Junaid Hussain, was killed in a US air strike in Raqqa on 24 August as part of the same operation. Hussain and Khan were targeted after intelligence indicated that they were plotting to attack the VE Day commemoration event presided over by the Queen on 10 May, and events to mark the murder of Lee Rigby on Armed Forces Day on 27 June in Woolwich. A third Briton, Junaid Hussain, was killed in a US airstrike in Raqqa on 24 August as part of the same operation. Hussain and Khan were targeted after intelligence indicated they were plotting to attack the VE Day commemoration event presided over by the Queen on 10 May, and events to mark the murder of Lee Rigby on Armed Forces Day on 27 June in Woolwich.
The spokeswoman said of the meeting that approved the strikes: “That meeting was about what action we should take to protect the UK from a terrorist threat.”The spokeswoman said of the meeting that approved the strikes: “That meeting was about what action we should take to protect the UK from a terrorist threat.”
Asked whether others jihadis had been identified for targeting in addition to those killed last month, the spokeswoman said: “It was about what action we should be taking to protect British people here in Britain. As the defence secretary was saying, we have been clear that there are a number of individuals who are part of the terrorist organisation that is Isil that are seeking to plot and attack the UK and indeed other countries.”Asked whether others jihadis had been identified for targeting in addition to those killed last month, the spokeswoman said: “It was about what action we should be taking to protect British people here in Britain. As the defence secretary was saying, we have been clear that there are a number of individuals who are part of the terrorist organisation that is Isil that are seeking to plot and attack the UK and indeed other countries.”
The Guardian understands that a list drawn up by ministers on the NSC went beyond those killed last month.The Guardian understands that a list drawn up by ministers on the NSC went beyond those killed last month.
The spokeswoman declined to deny that there was such a list. When asked she said: “It means that the government remains absolutely committed to doing what is necessary to protect British people here on the streets of Britain.” The spokeswoman declined to deny that there was such a list. When asked, she said: “It means that the government remains absolutely committed to doing what is necessary to protect British people here on the streets of Britain.”