MOSCOW, November 5 (RIA Novosti) — There has been a "negative development" in the security situation in Norway, and terrorists could attempt to carry out an attack in the country within the next 12 months, the Norwegian Police Security Service (PST) said Wednesday.
"Within the next 12 months it is likely that there could be threats or attempts to carry out terrorist attacks in Norway. Based on current trends in Islamist extremists' goals and methods, as well as the enemy picture drawn out by ISIL [Islamic State], military personnel, police and some policy makers may be particularly vulnerable. Police, PST and the Armed Forces will consider measures to reduce the risk within their respective areas of responsibility," reads a statement published on the PST's website.
According to the agency, "ideological inspiration from ISIL and other terrorist organizations" is playing a big role in terrorist acts.
Several people across Europe have recently been arrested to avert terrorist attacks, and "in most of these arrests there have been discovered indirect or direct bonds to the Islamic State and the conflict in Syria and Iraq," the PST said. "The common features of the [terrorist] plans have been to attack symbolic targets using simple means."
In a speech made in September, the Islamic State (IS) urged supporters to carry out attacks in all the countries involved in the US-led alliance against the militant group, the PST noted, adding that this speech must be seen "in connection with the changes in modus operandi for extreme Islamist terror in Europe in recent years."
The PST's security update comes just days after Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg announced that Norway will make a contribution to the international anti-IS coalition in Iraq by sending some 120 Norwegian soldiers to Iraq. Norwegian forces will not engage in battles against Islamic State militants, she stressed, and instead aid the coalition by training Iraqi soldiers.
The PST made headlines in July after informing the public of a possible upcoming attack in Norway. The PST then stated that the country was facing a "concrete threat" from persons reportedly affiliated with the IS, though was unspecific on where the attack could take place.
The IS, also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Greater Syria (ISIS), or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has been fighting the Syrian government since 2012 and extended its attacks to Iraq in June. The United States and a number of its allies are currently carrying out airstrikes against IS targets in both countries.
