Two developments worth an operator's attention this week.
Threat and travel. The FCDO's 22 July update eases Iraq to all but essential travel across the Kurdistan Region and most of Federal Iraq, holding advise against all travel only for named high-risk provinces. Strikes and retaliatory attacks by Iran across the region since 8 July keep flights and airspace volatile, which is the practical risk to any movement.
The threat picture. The Home Office's latest quarterly figures, published 23 July, show 3,061 terrorism-related arrests in the year to March, a headline rise of 1,186%. But 92% trace to the Palestine Action proscription; excluding those, arrests rose 1.7%. The figures that matter are a record 273 people in custody for terrorism-connected offences and a rise in Section 43 stop and search.
Threat level. The UK national terrorism threat level remains SEVERE, meaning an attack is highly likely. The threat to Northern Ireland from Northern Ireland-related terrorism is SUBSTANTIAL, meaning an attack is likely.
