This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27947343

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Tracking Syria fighters now main task for MI5 Tracking Syria fighters now main task for MI5
(35 minutes later)
Most of MI5's casework now involves tracking Britons fighting with extremist groups in the Middle East, the BBC has learned. Tracking British jihadists fighting in Syria is now the top priority for MI5, the BBC has learned.
The threat from British jihadists fighting in Syria is now the biggest priority for the security service. It comes after a video appeared to show UK jihadis in Syria trying to recruit people to join them there and in Iraq.
It comes after footage emerged appearing to show UK jihadis trying to recruit people to join them in Iraq. The Home Office said counter-terror police were working to get the video - posted by internet accounts linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) militants - taken off line.
The Home Office said counter-terror police were working to get the video taken off the internet. Isis has made rapid advances through Iraq in recent weeks.
Earlier it said it would not tolerate online "terrorist" videos after the footage, which has not been verified, was posted online by accounts linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) militants. Earlier this week, Prime Minister David Cameron said its fighters were plotting terror attacks on the UK.
Isis has made rapid advances through Iraq in recent weeks. Earlier this week, Prime Minister David Cameron said its fighters were plotting terror attacks on the UK. BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said MI5 was having to prioritise the greatest amount of its casework on tracking British jihadists in Syria.
'Propaganda''Propaganda'
An estimated 400-500 UK fighters have been recruited by the group, which is engaged in fierce fighting with Iraqi government forces. An estimated 400-500 UK fighters have been recruited by Isis, which is engaged in fierce fighting with Iraqi government forces.
The footage features men sitting cross-legged in a semi-circle, with the black flag of Isis behind. The footage features six armed men, sitting in front of the black flag of Isis.
One of them, a Briton identified as Abu Dujana al Hindi, says he has a "message to the brothers who have stayed behind".
Another man, Abu Muthanna al Yemeni, also identifies himself as British.
It cannot be verified, but BBC correspondent Paul Adams said it came from social media accounts with known links to Isis and had probably been filmed in Syria.It cannot be verified, but BBC correspondent Paul Adams said it came from social media accounts with known links to Isis and had probably been filmed in Syria.
"It appears to show British jihadis intent on joining the fight in Iraq," he said."It appears to show British jihadis intent on joining the fight in Iraq," he said.
Isis in IraqIsis in Iraq
Isis grew out of an al-Qaeda-linked organisation in IraqIsis grew out of an al-Qaeda-linked organisation in Iraq
Iraq 'massacre' photos: What we knowIraq 'massacre' photos: What we know
Baiji, Iraq's biggest refinery, is surrounded by the rebels, who say they have seized most of Tal Afar airport.Baiji, Iraq's biggest refinery, is surrounded by the rebels, who say they have seized most of Tal Afar airport.
The US has said it will send some 300 military advisers to help the fight against the insurgents.The US has said it will send some 300 military advisers to help the fight against the insurgents.
The UK government has 'proscribed' Isis, making it a criminal offence to associate with it or give it financial backing. Four other groups with links to Syria were proscribed at the same time.
Alongside its military advances, Isis has mounted a parallel social media campaign.Alongside its military advances, Isis has mounted a parallel social media campaign.
Sasha Havlicek, who co-chairs a European Union working group on internet radicalisation, said Isis was using social media to compete with other radical groups.Sasha Havlicek, who co-chairs a European Union working group on internet radicalisation, said Isis was using social media to compete with other radical groups.
"I think the strategy that they're putting in play right now is about brand recognition," she told the BBC."I think the strategy that they're putting in play right now is about brand recognition," she told the BBC.
"The point really I think for Isis is about claiming a piece of the market, and they've done that incredibly successfully.""The point really I think for Isis is about claiming a piece of the market, and they've done that incredibly successfully."
Analysis
Sebastian Usher, BBC Arab affairs editor
In the video, six men sit cross-legged in a semi-circle, with their Kalashnikovs beside them and the black flag of Isis behind. It is unclear where they are. But their message is very clear.
It is a recruitment call for Western Muslims to join their battle, not at home but in Iraq and Syria. One says that jihad is the best cure for the depression which he says Muslims feel in the West.
Isis has established itself as a sophisticated manipulator of social media. The image portrayed is often brutal, intended to sow fear and submission. This is different - the fighters speak softly and smile. It seems aimed at widening the group's appeal.
The Home Office said: "We do not tolerate the existence of online terrorist and extremist propaganda, which directly influences people who are vulnerable to radicalisation.The Home Office said: "We do not tolerate the existence of online terrorist and extremist propaganda, which directly influences people who are vulnerable to radicalisation.
"We already work closely with the internet industry to remove terrorist material hosted in the UK or overseas.""We already work closely with the internet industry to remove terrorist material hosted in the UK or overseas."
The Home Office said it wanted to "further restrict access to terrorist material" and use "family-friendly filters" to block other extremist content.The Home Office said it wanted to "further restrict access to terrorist material" and use "family-friendly filters" to block other extremist content.
The Muslim Council of Britain condemned the violence of Isis and warned young Britons that travelling to Iraq or Syria "will not help the people of those countries". The Muslim Council of Britain has condemned the violence of Isis and warned young Britons that travelling to Iraq or Syria "will not help the people of those countries".
Mr Cameron has warned of a threat to the UK if an "extreme Islamist regime" is created in central Iraq, while Downing Street said 65 people had been arrested in the past 18 months for Syria-related jihadist activities.Mr Cameron has warned of a threat to the UK if an "extreme Islamist regime" is created in central Iraq, while Downing Street said 65 people had been arrested in the past 18 months for Syria-related jihadist activities.