UK raises domestic terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland to 'severe' following attacks on police

The United Kingdom’s security service raised the domestic terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland to “severe” this week. The raised threat level follows attacks on police officers.

The MI5 agency this week raised the domestic terrorism level in Northern Ireland to “severe,” the second-highest category from its previous level of “substantial.” The increased threat level follows recent attacks on police officers and ahead of the gathering of political leaders in the region in April to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which largely ended decades of sectarian violence in the province.

US President Joe Biden said this month that he accepted an invitation by British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to visit the region in April. Former US President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will also be attending events related to the anniversary.

“The public should remain vigilant but not be alarmed and continue to report any concerns they have,” said British Northern Ireland minister Chris Heaton-Harris in a statement.

Northern Ireland’s Police Service Chief Constable Simon Byrne said his officers would remain determined to deliver “a visible, accessible, and responsive community-focused policing service to keep people safe.”

Last month, an off-duty police officer was injured after a gun attack that the police said was carried out by the new IRA, a smaller group compared to the Irish Republican Army that disarmed following the Good Friday Agreement. Despite the peace deal largely ending decades of political violence, police officers have still been targeted by splinter groups of nationalist militants opposed to British rule in the province.

Leaders are expected to gather in Belfast in April to celebrate the signing of the agreement that was partially brokered by the US under the Clinton administration.

On Tuesday, the region’s Orange Order said it voted unanimously to oppose the return of the devolved government unless changes are made to the new post-Brexit trade deal now known as the Windsor Framework. The move by the pro-British group could put added pressure on the Democratic Unionist Party to seek concessions from London.

The DUP has said it will not stop its year-long boycott of the devolved government without “further clarification, re-working, and change” to the new trade deal. Sunak’s government has maintained the deal is not open for renegotiation.