France – Drones have appeared over landmarks in central Paris for the second night running and police are no closer to knowing who is operating them a report claimed on the 25 Feb 15. There were five sightings by between 2300 hrs on the 24 Feb 15 and 0200 hrs (0100 hrs GMT) on the 25 Feb 15. Up to three drones were seen near the Invalides military museum, Place de la Concorde and two of the old city gates. Flying drones over Paris at night is illegal and daytime flights require authorisation from the city. Five drones were seen the previous night in similar areas, including the Eiffel Tower and above the US embassy, close to Place de la Concorde. However, some of the latest drone flights have been captured on film and will be analysed by a 10-strong team of investigators set up after the first incidents. The new sightings were also on the fringes of central Paris, at the key transport gates of Porte de Clignancourt in the north and Porte de Saint-Cloud in the south-west. Small drones are inexpensive and easy to buy but their appearance in recent months over sensitive locations has worried French authorities. It is against the law for any aircraft to fly lower than 6,000m (19,700ft) over central Paris. Flying any aircraft under that ceiling - including drones, police helicopters, and air ambulances - requires permission from city authorities. Flying a drone at night is banned completely. Last month (Jan 15) a drone was seen over the Elysee Palace, home of President Francois Hollande. Drones were also spotted flying over at least 13 nuclear power plants in France between Oct 14 and Jan 15. Those flights were thought to be the work of environmental activists but no group claimed responsibility. 361 COMMENT: It is thought that the security threat from these drones is minimal. However, unless you are subscriber to web-sites such as Google Earth, then the images on line are not as up-to-date as what some may wish for. Indeed the sightings may well be quite innocent but with the current threat to France from terrorist groups in Mali and from the Islamic State France cannot allow these sightings not to be investigated. Although the drones may well be being used by a thoughtless party on the other hand they may well be being used as an up-to-date reconnaissance vehicle in witch case there may well be a well planned terrorist attack being planned. Depending on the size of the drones there is a possibility of small explosive devices being attached which could cause death or serious injury to selected locations or personnel. It would not matter how small the incident was the propaganda issue would be immense and used to recruit others to fight. It would be unwise not to take the threat seriously especially as terrorist groups such as Islamic State have proven in the past that they are capable of rising above those terrorist incidents whereby they were, by today’s standards, far fetched. COMMENT ENDS
Italy – 17 Feb 14; 361 COMMENT: With the recent sea vessels that have either landed in Italy, been plucked from the sea off or near the Italian coast and those large ships that were set adrift and on a course towards Italy contain terrorists. It would be unwise to think this was not the case and even with a careful background check some will get through the net. The Islamic State has boasted for some time that they will conquer Rome in fact out of all the European countries that the IS has threatened Italy appears to be top of the list when it comes to mentioning a country and capital. Recently with the murder of the Egyptian Coptic Christians the threat to conquer Rome was reiterated. It is possible that the IS, is twin tracking its fighters into Europe through large ships from the East and from Libya in the South. Italian and European authorities should be careful into allowing these refugees into the European State as they insertion of terrorist to make up cells ready to attack cannot be ruled out. It may well be that Italy is not only a stepping stone into the European Zone but a spring board into Europe. Rome may well be the first target of the Islamic State in Europe and with numerous supporters either in place or being trafficked in by sea the problem is going to be rather large if the European Union does not act rather more vigorously. Prior to the murder of the Coptic Christians on the 16 Feb 15 one of the murders stated: Before the videoed killings, one of the militants stood with a knife in his hand and said: "Safety for you crusaders is something you can only wish for." Afterwards, he says: "And we will conquer Rome, by the will of Allah." COMMENT ENDS
Italy on the 18 Feb 15 issued its strongest warning yet about the danger of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) establishing a stronghold in Libya that would threaten Europe’s security and the stability of neighbouring states. Addressing parliament, Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said there was an “evident risk” of ISIS fighters in Libya forging an alliance with local militias or criminal gangs currently engaged in a multi-sided battle for control of the country. He also warned that time was running out for the troubled north African state, and called for a “change of pace” in the international community’s efforts to restore stability to a country that has descended into chaos. “There is an evident risk of an alliance being forged between local groups and Daesh and it is a situation that has to be monitored with maximum attention,” Gentiloni told MPs. Gentiloni said it was clear the situation in Libya had deteriorated in recent weeks, raising the risks faced by Italy and neighbouring countries. “We find ourselves facing a country with a vast territory and failed institutions and that has potentially grave consequences not only for us but for the stability and sustainability of the transition processes in neighbouring African states. “We have to be clear, the situation has deteriorated. The time at our disposal is not infinite and is in danger of running out soon.”
Gentiloni stressed that Italy believed the solution to Libya’s problems was political, not military. “Saying we are in the front line does not mean announcing adventures nor crusades,” he said.
Germany – A carnival parade has been called off at short notice in Braunschweig, northern Germany, due to the threat of an Islamist attack it was reported on the 15 Feb 15. A "specific threat of an Islamist attack" was identified by state security sources; it was claimed in a statement. The parade - a well-known regional attraction - was cancelled only 90 minutes before it was due to start. Braunschweig's Carnival parade reportedly draws around 250,000 visitors each year. More than 4,000 participants in fancy dress march down a 6km (four-mile) route through the city.
Italy – 17 Feb 14; 361 COMMENT: With the recent sea vessels that have either landed in Italy, been plucked from the sea off or near the Italian coast and those large ships that were set adrift and on a course towards Italy contain terrorists. It would be unwise to think this was not the case and even with a careful background check some will get through the net. The Islamic State has boasted for some time that they will conquer Rome in fact out of all the European countries that the IS has threatened Italy appears to be top of the list when it comes to mentioning a country and capital. Recently with the murder of the Egyptian Coptic Christians the threat to conquer Rome was reiterated. It is possible that the IS, is twin tracking its fighters into Europe through large ships from the East and from Libya in the South. Italian and European authorities should be careful into allowing these refugees into the European State as they insertion of terrorist to make up cells ready to attack cannot be ruled out. It may well be that Italy is not only a stepping stone into the European Zone but a spring board into Europe. Rome may well be the first target of the Islamic State in Europe and with numerous supporters either in place or being trafficked in by sea the problem is going to be rather large if the European Union does not act rather more vigorously. Prior to the murder of the Coptic Christians on the 16 Feb 15 one of the murders stated: Before the videoed killings, one of the militants stood with a knife in his hand and said: "Safety for you crusaders is something you can only wish for." Afterwards, he says: "And we will conquer Rome, by the will of Allah." COMMENT ENDS
Italy on the 18 Feb 15 issued its strongest warning yet about the danger of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) establishing a stronghold in Libya that would threaten Europe’s security and the stability of neighbouring states. Addressing parliament, Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni said there was an “evident risk” of ISIS fighters in Libya forging an alliance with local militias or criminal gangs currently engaged in a multi-sided battle for control of the country. He also warned that time was running out for the troubled north African state, and called for a “change of pace” in the international community’s efforts to restore stability to a country that has descended into chaos. “There is an evident risk of an alliance being forged between local groups and Daesh and it is a situation that has to be monitored with maximum attention,” Gentiloni told MPs. Gentiloni said it was clear the situation in Libya had deteriorated in recent weeks, raising the risks faced by Italy and neighbouring countries. “We find ourselves facing a country with a vast territory and failed institutions and that has potentially grave consequences not only for us but for the stability and sustainability of the transition processes in neighbouring African states. “We have to be clear, the situation has deteriorated. The time at our disposal is not infinite and is in danger of running out soon.”
Gentiloni stressed that Italy believed the solution to Libya’s problems was political, not military. “Saying we are in the front line does not mean announcing adventures nor crusades,” he said.
Germany – A carnival parade has been called off at short notice in Braunschweig, northern Germany, due to the threat of an Islamist attack it was reported on the 15 Feb 15. A "specific threat of an Islamist attack" was identified by state security sources; it was claimed in a statement. The parade - a well-known regional attraction - was cancelled only 90 minutes before it was due to start. Braunschweig's Carnival parade reportedly draws around 250,000 visitors each year. More than 4,000 participants in fancy dress march down a 6km (four-mile) route through the city.
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