Manchester Attacker Identified As British Born Libyan

22 yo died in attack, another arrested


Article heading image for Manchester Attacker Identified As British Born Libyan

Pic credit: PA

The suicide bomber who detonated a nail bomb at the end of a packed Ariana Grande pop concert in the UK has been identified as Briton, Salman Abedi. 

Authorities are now working to determine whether the 22 year old was acting alone or as part of a wider network, though ISIS is now claiming responsibility. 

At this stage, the UK's terror threat level has been upgraded from severe to critical.

"It is now concluded that the threat level should be increased for the time being. This means that their assessment is not only that an attack remains highly likely, but that a further attack may be imminent" 

The son of an airport security official, Abedi is of Libyan descent. 

British media have spoken with school friends of Abedi, who spoke about him 'acting strangely' over the past few months. 

21 year old Lina Ahmed has been quoted, saying, 'They were a Libyan family. A couple of months ago he [Salman] was chanting the first kalma [Islamic prayer] really loudly in the street. He was chanting in Arabic. He was saying 'There is only one God and the prophet Mohammed is his messenger.'

British Prime Minister Theresa May, meantime, has condemned the 'sickening' attack. 

“All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people, but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice, deliberately targeting innocent, defenceless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.”

“We struggle to comprehend the warped and twisted mind that sees a room packed with young children not as a scene to cherish but an opportunity for carnage."

Overnight, UK Police raided several properties including one thought to belong to Abedi's brother. 

A 23 year old man has been arrested. 

HERE'S WHAT WE KNOW AT THE MOMENT: 

  • Suicide bomber Salman Abedi has been confirmed as the man responsible for detonating a device outside the Manchester Arena. He died at the scene. 
  • UK Police are working to detemine if Abedi was working alone, or as part of a network. ISIS has claimed responsibility for the attack via social media channels. 
  • Three victims have now been identified, the youngest being just 8 years old. 
  • UK PM Theresa May has slammed the attack as 'callous', 'among the worst terrorism we have experienced in the United Kingdom'.
  • The UK's terror threat level has been upgraded to critical, with the PM saying a further attack could be imminent. 
  • US President Donald Trump has labelled the attackers 'evil losers'
  • A 23 year old man is the only person arrested, at this stage. There are unconfirmed reports this may be the suicide bomber's brother. 

23 May 2017




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