ISIS ATTACKS

[TRISH]

Brits in Costa Del Sol, Costa Brava and Costa Blanca now 'top targets for ISIS attack'

SPANISH beaches packed full of holidaying Brits could be the next target for an Islamic State attack, a security expert has warned.

By Tom Rawle, Exclusive / Published 11th July 2015
   
   
   
   

The Spanish coastline is thought to be one of ISIS's next targetsATTACK: The Spanish coastline is thought to be one of ISIS's next targets [DAILY STAR ONLINE]
The Costa Brava, Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol have been highlighted as key threat areas with fears of a Tunisia-style atrocity being repeated in Spain.

The Daily Star Online revealed earlier this week how UK tourists are being labeled as “high value” targets by ISIS extremists.

In a chilling warning, Spain's interior minister said counter-terror chiefs were working "day and night" to thwart any attacks.

And a top counter-terrorism chief has now singled out the popular Spanish coastline as an area Islamist killers have in their sights.

Will Geddes, head of global security firm International Corporate Protection, says Spanish authorities have ramped up armed patrols near holiday hotspots with fears of a "Sousse-like" attack from the sea.

He told us: "The framework and method for ISIS attacks would lead them to potentially attack tourist resorts as seen recently in Tunisia.

"So the likes of Costa Brava, Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol are at risk.”


Beaches rammed full of Brits near the likes of Barcelona, Alicante and Malaga are thought to be most at risk.

While busy major city centres such as the capital Madrid and Valencia are also thought to be likely targets for a mass-casualty attack.

Mr Geddes added: "My sources say authorities are raising the presence of Guarda (civil guards) and police to protect tourists from any possible plots and provide an increased presence for reassurance.

"They are keeping watchful eyes on any historically attacked locations, such as train stations, bus terminals, government buildings as well as areas with large amounts of people and especially tourists.

"The increasing security presence in tourist regions will be to prevent Spain falling foul to a Sousse-like attack."

His comments come after Spain raised its security level to the highest since the 2004 Madrid bombings which killed 191 people.

Yesterday, the Spanish interior minister said police were doing everything they could to ensure the safety of the people.

Jorge Fernández Díaz tweeted: "Guardiacivil policia will work day and night to minimise the terrorist alert"

Armed police presence has been increased along the CostasSAFETY: Armed police presence has been increased along the Costas [GETTY]
“Costa Brava, Costa Blanca and Costa Del Sol are at risk.”
Will Geddes, security expert
Over 12 million Brits travel to Spain every year.

Many own holiday homes in the likes of Benidorm, Marbella and Fuengirola.

While others escape the UK for a holiday to the Spanish coast – known for its sun, sea, sangria and sand.

But Mr Geddes explained Spain has somewhat surprisingly been battling terrror for a number of years despite it not being widely reported in the UK.

He said: "The country raised its security level a month ago, the highest (Level 4 of 5) since the 2004 Madrid Bombings, as a result of an increase in intelligence chatter about ISIS.

"So far it is estimated around 120 Spanish people have fled to join ISIS."

And the security source explained that it is not just Spain at threat of a large-scale attack.

"Virtually every country across Europe has been affected by the rise of ISIS," he said.

"Both in terms of nationals travelling to Syria and Iraq as well as domestic radicalisation.

“This includes countries you wouldn't generally think have people joining the terror regime – such as in Finland, Belgium and Sweden.

"It is a global virus."

Terror expert Will Geddes has warned that the Costas are key areas for a potential attackSECURITY: Terror expert Will Geddes has warned that the Costas are key areas for a potential attack [BBC]

[Taff72]

The level headed of us shouldn't be unduly worried by such panic inducing "journalism", the need for vigilance is indeed valid but such sensationalist cobblers is really playing into the hands of these nutters.
Don't forget that for many a year we Brits lived with the ever present risk of injury / death from attacks by so called Irish Republicans and got through it so lets retain some perspective.

[Philndeb]

Well said Taff, these scare Mongers of the press may as well list every country we Brits go too, which is just about everywhere. Nobody likes us and we are used to it.


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[gaveteran]

Hear hear. Absolute guff if you ask me. I also don't believe the last few attacks were "Isis" in any meaningful sense of the word. The thing is France was a frankly pre-warned attack against a bunch of people who knew it was coming, the other French one was a lone nutter who attacked his boss, and the Tunisia one again bears all the hallmarks of another lone wolf. I think they are basically "copy cat" killings. People used to cope serial killers, but now terrorists are more in vogue.

I don't know exactly what the government gets out of trying to keep us all scared witless, but it's not working on me.

[bramleylad]

Brits have had all this before in the days of ETA the Basque terrorist organisation and they did not deter us from coming, i believe there was a ETA bomb attack where a Guardia Civil officer was killed in Santa Pola some years ago but we can not let the fanatics win ! 

[sunseekers]

We now have press who think that if they haven't got you so scared you daren't go out or so mad that you are foaming at the mouth,then they don't think they are doing their job properly. Stopped reading these comics years ago.

Graham

[John H]

You're in more danger driving to the airport than you are from these toe rags.
Life continues as normal for me.

Regards all

John


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[ian-steele]

do i assume that if an attack happens on the beach, then all the brits are to be flown home as in tunisia ?

[sunseekers]

Sadly all the Brits weren't flown home when the attack happened in Tunisia, only the ones with package deals with the big companies.  My friend was there having booked her and her partners own separate hotel and flights and, although their first instinct was to flee, they weren't offered flights home by the airline they had booked with and ended up sticking it out for the few remaining days. Thankfully they were ok but saw some traumatic things and were full of praise for the Tunisian staff.

[puddy-woo]

Its all very sad and sick but it could happen anywhere. I work by the American Embassy in London travelling by bus, train and tube.  I'm not worried about sitting on the Carabassi beach.


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