The United Kingdom is facing a resurgent threat from ISIS and al Qaeda, according to MI5 Director General Ken McCallum. In a rare public speech, McCallum warned that these terrorist organizations are once again targeting the UK and Europe, with ISIS in particular resuming efforts to export terrorism globally. The resurgence comes five years after the fall of ISIS’ caliphate, which spanned Iraq and Syria, and has seen the group evolve into a decentralized network with cells across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

McCallum highlighted that more than a third of MI5’s recent priority investigations are linked to overseas terrorist groups, and alarmingly, over one in eight individuals under investigation for terrorism offenses in the UK are minors—a threefold increase since 2021. This shift underscores the growing influence of extremist propaganda on younger generations, particularly through online channels.

The MI5 chief also addressed the broader global security landscape, which is being impacted by state-sponsored sabotage and terrorism. McCallum pointed to Russia’s intelligence agency, the GRU, as a persistent threat, accusing it of orchestrating acts of sabotage and arson across Europe. He also revealed that MI5 has responded to 20 Iran-backed terror plots in Britain since 2022, further complicating the UK’s security environment.

Despite a rise in public disorder and hate crimes due to the conflicts in the Middle East, McCallum stated that these events have not yet translated into significant terrorist activities within the UK. However, he stressed the need for vigilance as the potential for violence remains.

The evolving nature of terrorism, with a greater focus on minors and internet-based radicalization, presents new challenges for security agencies. McCallum underscored the importance of responding to this changing threat landscape, highlighting recent convictions of British teenagers involved in plotting attacks inspired by extremist ideologies. With both far-right and Islamist extremism on the rise, MI5 is facing increasing pressure to prevent acts of violence before they can be carried out.