Sir Alex Younger emphasized the risks following the fall of Assad’s regime, warning of a potential 'serious spike' in threats posed by Islamic State fighters currently held by Kurdish groups. He stressed that while change in Syria should come from its own people, the situation requires international attention, particularly due to the thousands of IS detainees left after the caliphate's collapse. He noted if Kurdish forces cease their operations, it could lead to a significant threat to Europe.
Former MI6 chief Richard Dearlove highlighted the dangers posed by 'lone-wolf' extremists imprisoned under Assad's rule. He pointed out that although Daesh's organizational structure has weakened, the environment may still induce individual terrorists to launch attacks, which could increase the terror threat level significantly.
Hamish De Bretton-Gordon warned about the urgency for the UN and OPCW to intervene in Syria to prevent chemical weapons stockpiles from falling into the hands of terrorists. He noted the imminent risk of Assad's chemical arsenal being exploited by extremist groups, emphasizing the importance of prompt international action to secure these hazardous materials before it's too late.
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