World

UK's 'No 1 Target' 'White Widow' Reportedly Plotting Terror Attacks in London

The Western world's most wanted terrorist suspect is the widow of suicide bomber Germaine Lindsay, who took part in a series of coordinated attacks in London on 7 July 2005.
Sputnik

Samantha Lewthwaite dubbed the White Widow is believed to be hiding in Yemen, British security services believe, The Mirror reported, adding that she might be under the protection of fighters from the militant group al-Shabaab.

READ MORE: UK Grandad Banned From US After Accidentally Declaring Himself a 'Terrorist'

UK Police Detain Two Teenagers Suspected of Plotting Terrorist Acts - Reports
The 35-year-old was married to Germaine Lindsay, who was one of the four terrorists who detonated bombs on London's public transport system, targeting commuters during the morning rush hour on 7 July 2005.

Fifty-two people died in the attacks, with Lindsay killing 27 of them on London's tube.

Lewthwaite, who is believed to have had plastic surgery to alter her appearance, is reported to have recently visited Dubai, with sources telling The Mirror that she might be up to a new series of terrorist attacks, including in London.

A woman holds a copy of the British tabloid newspaper The Sun, in London, Friday, Sept. 23, 2005 which carries on its front page their story of Samantha Lewthwaite, wife of suspected London suicide bomber Jermaine Linsday.

The intelligence was reportedly gathered after an MI6 officer recruited a source close to the White Widow in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

"She remains our No1 target and we believe the net is finally closing in. We will get her", the source told the publication.

Lewthwaite is understood to have relocated to Yemen "after being linked to atrocities in Kenya and Somalia", The Mirror wrote.

"Yemen is a hotbed for al-Shabaab recruitment and its chaotic political situation gives an advantage to on-the-run terrorists like her", the source added.

UK Intelligence Chief Says 12 Terrorist Attacks Foiled Since March 2017
According to the media outlet, she may have a range of contacts in the war-torn country, namely in the former British colony of Aden and the major seaport of Mukalla.

She is alleged to have recruited female suicide bombers with bribes of $380, which is a huge amount for local people.

In 2013, Interpol issued an arrest warrant for Lewthwaite over alleged links to the planning of the Westgate shopping mall attack in Nairobi, which left 67 dead. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the atrocity.

Discuss