Prior to yesterday's terrorist attack on London Khalid Masood, a 52-year-old British man, had a history of criminal activity and multiple aliases. He was well-known to the authorities in the UK for crimes such as assault, public order offenses, possession of weapons and criminal damage. Although there was no information indicating that Khalid Masood would take part or lead a terror attack, his long list of criminal activity and offenses started in 1983 when he was 17-years-old.
Attacker from Kent
He was born in Kent, England where he became an English teacher.
A bit later in life, he converted to Islam and moved to the West Midlands. ISIS is now claiming that Khalid Masood is a “soldier of the Islamic State” and are taking responsibility for the London attack. Along with Masood, an additional nine people have been arrested on suspicion of assisting with terrorist attacks and plots.
The other people who have been arrested and may be connected with Masood, ISIS, and future or current terrorist attack plans include six men and three women. These possible terrorists range in age from 21-years-old to 58-years-old. It is not yet known if they all have connections to ISIS or if there are additional terrorist attacks planned for London.
ISIS claim responsibility
After ISIS claimed responsibility for the terrorist attack in London the group stated that they are going to launch attacks on the civilians and military/protection forces in other countries who have connections to the US. The terror group did specify that they are directing their attacks on countries who have partnered with the US to bomb specific areas of Syria and Iraq.
However, there were no specific details on any planned attacks or locations for these attacks given.
Over the last 20 years, terrorist attacks on London have increased and ISIS has laid claim to many of these attacks. The last terrorist attack of similar size to yesterday's attack by Khalid Masood was in 2005 and is known as the London bombings. During this attack, three bombs were detonated in succession in the London Underground train systems.
