ISIS has claimed responsibility for the Manchester Arena attack on Monday night, AFP reported on May 24, 2017. The terrorist group said in a statement published on its social media channels: "One of the caliphate's soldiers placed bombs among the crowds."
British Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday, May 23, that the national terror threat level has been raised to "critical." This means that another attack is expected "imminently."
Soldiers were also deployed at key sites after a suicide bomber killed 22 people after an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester. "Armed police officers responsible for duties such as guarding key sites will be replaced by members of the armed forces, which will allow the police to significantly increase the number of armed officers on patrol in key locations.You might also see military personnel deployed at certain events such as concerts and sports matches, helping the police to keep the public safe," May said.
22-year-old Salman Abedi, reportedly a Briton of Libyan descent, was identified as the perpetrator behind Monday's deadly attack, in which victims included an eight-year-old girl. "It is a possibility we cannot ignore that there is a wider group of individuals linked to this attack," May said.
Monday's attack came just over two weeks before Britain votes in a general election and is the latest in a series of deadly incidents across Europe.