Special Forces Deployed To Manchester As Troops Guard British Streets
24.05.2017
United Kingdom Special Forces (UKSF) troops have been deployed to aid counter terrorism efforts in Manchester, it has been reported. [1]
The Telegraph states that 'Special Forces' had been sent to the city to join the hunt for accomplices of Salman Abedi, the man responsible for the horrific attack at the Manchester Arena on Monday night.
The exact nature of UKSF's role in any manhunt has not been disclosed, although their counter-terrorism skills are of no doubt second-to-none. It could be that their expertise in using explosives to force entry into buildings may be called on. The 22nd Special Air Service (22 SAS) reportedly provided exactly this kind of 'explosive entry' assistance to London police during house searches following the 7/7 attacks on 2005.[2]
Like London and several other police services, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have firearms officers trained to Counter Terrorist Specialist Firearms Officer (CTSFO) standard. GMP CTSFOs have carried out a series raids as part of the post-attack police response. Elements of specialist military support have been spotted in pictures of thes raids published in the press and on social media.
- here is a photo of what appears to be soldier working alongside the GMP. Note the L119A2 carbine carried and military kit worn by the individual. The backpack suggests this individual may be with a military Explosive Ordinance Demolitions (EOD) unit such as Alpha Troop, 821 EOD squadron, which supports UKSF.
(The Guardian)
- and here is another photo of what looks a military EOD Ammunition Technical Officer (ATO) pictured at the scene of a GMP raid.
- video showing GMP Police raiding a
Manchester house - with apparent military support
(Youtube)
Other elements of the military have been deployed in a nation-wide operation that has been initiated when the terror threat level was raised to 'critical' after the Manchester attack. Under the security plan, 'Operation Temperer', nearly 1000 soldiers have been drafted in to guard public spaces.[3] The goal is to free up police officers so they can carry out more armed patrols. The troops deployed will be under the control of civilian police authorities.
More info / further reading:
- 1. Soldiers deployed on streets in race to foil second terror attack after threat level raised to 'critical'
(The Telegraph)
- 2. SAS joined police for terror raids
(The Telegraph)
- 3. Threat level critical: increased security on British streets - in pictures
(The Guardian)
