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Home / World

Terrorists' next target? Paris attacks mastermind had photos of Birmingham on his smartphone

Herald online
13 Dec, 2015 05:20 PMQuick Read

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Abdelhamid Abaaoud reportedly had photos of UK targets on his phone. Photo / AP

Abdelhamid Abaaoud reportedly had photos of UK targets on his phone. Photo / AP

The mastermind of the Paris terror attacks had photos of UK targets on his mobile phone.

According to the Daily Mail investigators found photos of Birmingham on Abdelhamid Abaaoud's smartphone, raising the possibility the UK was a potential target.

One source suggests Abaaoud may have taken the pictures himself meaning he was able to enter the UK prior to the terror attacks despite already being the subject of an international manhunt.

A bird flies in front of the Eiffel Tower ,which remained closed on the first of three days of national mourning. Photo / Daniel Ochoa de Olza
Christ the Redeemer statue is lit with the colors of France's flag, in solidarity with France after attacks in Paris, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. Multiple attacks across Paris
A woman has a peace sign combined with the Eiffel Tower painted on her face. Photo / Markus Schreiber
A boy holds a French flag during a vigil in solidarity. Photo / Fernando Vergara
People react outside the Paris morgue in Paris. Photo / Peter Dejong
Two Ultra-Orthodox Jews look at Jerusalem's Old City walls illuminated by the colors of the French national flag in solidarity. Photo / Ariel Schalit
A floral tribute is placed next to blood stains near the scene of the Bataclan Theatre terrorist attack in Paris. Photo / Christopher Furlong
A man is wrapped in a French flag as he puts down flowers in front of the French embassy in Berlin. Photo / Gregor Fischer
A French policeman assists a blood-covered victim near the Bataclan concert hall following attacks in Paris. Photo / Philippe Wojazer / Reuters
Spectators embrace each other as they stand on the playing field of the Stade de France stadium. Photo / Christophe Ena
A woman is being evacuated from the Bataclan theater after a shooting in Paris. Photo / Thibault Camus
French special forces evacuate people as people gather near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris. Photo / Christian Hartmann / Reuters
French fire brigade members aid an injured individual near the Bataclan concert hall following fatal shootings in Paris. Photo / Christian Hartmann / Reuters
A victim under a blanket lays dead outside the Bataclan theater in Paris. Photo / Jerome Delay
Photo posted to Twitter. Photo / Tommy Pouilly
A medic tends to a man. Photo / Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images.

Image 1 of 16: A bird flies in front of the Eiffel Tower ,which remained closed on the first of three days of national mourning. Photo / Daniel Ochoa de Olza

The Mail also discovered he had been linked to four foiled plots this year and was in contact with associates in the Midlands prior to the Paris attacks.

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Another member of the Paris attackers is also believed to have visited Birmingham.

Police are reportedly taking the links between the Isis extremists and Birmingham "deadly seriously".

It is thought that Abaaoud was in contact with Moroccans living in the Bordesley Green and Alum Rock areas of the city. Both regions have been at the centre of recent counter-terrorism investigations.

Abaaoud is thought to be the mastermind behind the attacks in Paris which left 130 people dead. He was killed by police in a shootout following the attacks.

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- nzherald.co.nz

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