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Manchester bombing: more victims named as threat level is raised to critical – live news Manchester bombing: more victims named as threat level is raised to critical – live news
(35 minutes later)
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Jason Burke
In recent years a shift has occurred: attacks on “lifestyle” targets have become increasingly common. Why this shift, and why are such targets so apparently attractive to a terrorist?
One reason is that the more obvious targets – the military bases, embassies, government offices, airports and so on – are better protected than they were a decade ago. Terrorist targets are often determined by what is feasible, not by what fits a master plan.
Another reason for the shift is that al-Qaida, now relatively weaker than before, and Islamic State, which has become pre-eminent among jihadis, differ on tactics and strategy, even if their aims coincide. The veterans of al-Qaida prioritise building support for their extremist project and try to strike targets that they believe potential sympathisers will regard as legitimate. They may justify some attacks as being in line with their reading of Islamic law which calls for fair retaliation – in their case for Muslim casualties of western military actions. Others can be justified by deeming citizens of western nations collectively responsible for the acts of their governments.
But even al-Qaida would probably consider killing teenagers at a concert to be beyond the pale.
Not Isis however. The group relies on escalating brutality to terrorise target populations, whether in the west or the Middle East.
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Kelly Brewster’s partner, Ian Winslow, has confirmed that she is among those killed in the attack.
He wrote on Facebook:
Not sure how this works but it isn’t good news. Kelly Brewster wasn’t one of the unidentified hospital patients. She has sadly passed away in the terror attack yesterday.
Kelly really was the happiest she has ever been and we had so many things planned together. My daughter Phoebe will be absolutely devastated, like we all are.
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Killer had recently visited Libya – reports
There are reports that Salman Abedi, named as the perpetrator of the attack, had visited Libya recently, with some saying he returned to the UK only days before he killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena.
The Times reports that he spent time in Libya, citing an unnamed school friend:
He went to Libya three weeks ago and came back recently, like days ago.
Abedi was British, but his family is from Libya. The Guardian understands that his father, Abu Ismail Abedi, is thought to be in Tripoli.
The Sun reports that Salman Abedi may have used trips to Libya to travel to Syria. This has not been confirmed.
The Guardian has one of the first pictures of Abedi, taken during an Islamic class at the Didsbury mosque:
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Kelly Brewster, who was 32, also died in the blast, her family has confirmed to the Daily Mail.Kelly Brewster, who was 32, also died in the blast, her family has confirmed to the Daily Mail.
Brewster had attended the Ariana Grande concert with her sister Claire and niece, Hollie Booth. They were both injured in the attack and are being treated in hospital.Brewster had attended the Ariana Grande concert with her sister Claire and niece, Hollie Booth. They were both injured in the attack and are being treated in hospital.
Friends of Brewster have paid tribute to her on on social media. Her uncle, Paul Dryhurst, earlier described how she had been caught up in the blast:Friends of Brewster have paid tribute to her on on social media. Her uncle, Paul Dryhurst, earlier described how she had been caught up in the blast:
Kelly has shielded Hollie and Claire from the damage. The three were walking out in single file, with Claire in front, Hollie behind her, and Kelly behind her.Kelly has shielded Hollie and Claire from the damage. The three were walking out in single file, with Claire in front, Hollie behind her, and Kelly behind her.
When the bomb has gone off, the impact has broken Claire’s jaw and broken Hollie’s legs. They are both currently in hospital having nuts and bolts removed from all places.When the bomb has gone off, the impact has broken Claire’s jaw and broken Hollie’s legs. They are both currently in hospital having nuts and bolts removed from all places.
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Olivia Campbell, 15, who had been missing since the blast, has died, her mother has confirmed.Olivia Campbell, 15, who had been missing since the blast, has died, her mother has confirmed.
The teenager was the subject of a massive social media campaign to find her after she could not be contacted in the wake of the explosion.The teenager was the subject of a massive social media campaign to find her after she could not be contacted in the wake of the explosion.
Her mother Charlotte Campbell spoke to the media on Tuesday about her desperate attempts to make contact with her daughter:Her mother Charlotte Campbell spoke to the media on Tuesday about her desperate attempts to make contact with her daughter:
I’m at home phoning everybody: hospitals, police, the centres that the children have been put in. Her dad’s in Manchester looking for her. I’ve got friends looking for her. I’ve got people I don’t even know looking for her, people messaging me, saying we’ve got her photo, looking for her, we’ll get in contact if we see her. And I’m just hearing nothing. Her phone’s dead…I’m at home phoning everybody: hospitals, police, the centres that the children have been put in. Her dad’s in Manchester looking for her. I’ve got friends looking for her. I’ve got people I don’t even know looking for her, people messaging me, saying we’ve got her photo, looking for her, we’ll get in contact if we see her. And I’m just hearing nothing. Her phone’s dead…
They’ve basically told me to stay put and wait for a phone call. I daren’t leave the house just in case she somehow gets home.They’ve basically told me to stay put and wait for a phone call. I daren’t leave the house just in case she somehow gets home.
Overnight, Charlotte Campbell confirmed that Olivia had died, in a public Facebook post dedicated to “my darling precious gorgeous girl”.Overnight, Charlotte Campbell confirmed that Olivia had died, in a public Facebook post dedicated to “my darling precious gorgeous girl”.
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What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Soldiers are to be deployed on Britain’s streets after the threat level was raised from severe to critical, meaning officials believe another terrorist attack may be imminent.Soldiers are to be deployed on Britain’s streets after the threat level was raised from severe to critical, meaning officials believe another terrorist attack may be imminent.
The move came in the wake of the suicide bombing of Manchester Arena, which killed 22 people and injured 59 more.The move came in the wake of the suicide bombing of Manchester Arena, which killed 22 people and injured 59 more.
The perpetrator has been identified as Salman Abedi, 22, a Mancunian of Libyan descent. He walked into the lobby of the arena on Monday evening as thousands of people were exiting an Ariana Grande concert, detonating an improvised device that murdered and maimed many.The perpetrator has been identified as Salman Abedi, 22, a Mancunian of Libyan descent. He walked into the lobby of the arena on Monday evening as thousands of people were exiting an Ariana Grande concert, detonating an improvised device that murdered and maimed many.
Among those he killed were eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos; Georgina Callander, 18; and John Atkinson, 26. Among those he killed were eight-year-old Saffie Rose Roussos; Georgina Callander, 18; and John Atkinson, 28.
Overnight, the names of two more victims have been revealed: Kelly Brewster, 32, and Olivia Campbell, who was 15. Her mother Charlotte Campbell paid tribute to her “darling precious gorgeous girl”.Overnight, the names of two more victims have been revealed: Kelly Brewster, 32, and Olivia Campbell, who was 15. Her mother Charlotte Campbell paid tribute to her “darling precious gorgeous girl”.
Several people remain missing, many of them teenagers, with family and friends continuing to share their names and pictures on social media.Several people remain missing, many of them teenagers, with family and friends continuing to share their names and pictures on social media.
In messages posted online, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but this has not been confirmed by officials investigating the blast. There are reports today that Abedi had recently returned from a trip to Libya.In messages posted online, Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack, but this has not been confirmed by officials investigating the blast. There are reports today that Abedi had recently returned from a trip to Libya.
A 23-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning in south Manchester, and is believed to be Ismael Abedi, the brother of the perpetrator.A 23-year-old man was arrested on Tuesday morning in south Manchester, and is believed to be Ismael Abedi, the brother of the perpetrator.
All parties have suspended campaigning for the 8 June general election.All parties have suspended campaigning for the 8 June general election.
The prime minister, Theresa May, condemned the attack as:The prime minister, Theresa May, condemned the attack as:
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.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.
A vigil held in Manchester’s Albert Square on Tuesday evening drew thousands in solidarity with those killed and wounded.A vigil held in Manchester’s Albert Square on Tuesday evening drew thousands in solidarity with those killed and wounded.
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