Ali Alosaimi’s defection has led to fears that the terror cell could wage terror on the seas thanks to the 28-year-old’s exhaustive knowledge of Britain’s shipping fleet.
Former Royal Navy chief Admiral Lord West said: “This suddenly raises the spectre of ISIS damaging shipping,
“Someone with his knowledge opens up a whole new area where terrorism can take place.”
The threat of such a knowledgable state insider turning his back on Britain to fight in the middle east has struck fear in security officials.
Gavin Simmonds, director of security at the UK Chamber of Shipping, said: “An individual with three years’ experience in this area with the Merchant Navy would be of use to a terror organisation intent upon targeting shipping.
“The idea of an insider with such knowledge joining the crew of, say, an oil tanker is unnerving.
“There is a significant environmental risk should there be such a spectacular attempt by terrorists, and this is profoundly worrying.
“However, we must balance concerns against the ability of an individual to cause such an incident.”
Details of the officer’s defection emerged after an investigation by the Mail on Sunday revealed the would-be terror had boasted of his naval skills while applying to join the terror death cult.
The former student is believed to have been radicalised in his third year of study, when he started to grow a beard and preach to his young relatives in a bid to convince them to join ISIS, also known as ISIS.
Those close to him believe the turning point was the death of his younger brother, who was killed while fighting with a fanatic group in Syria.
Meanwhile his former housemate, who wished not to be named, revealed that he would spend his time watching videos that showed killings in Syria by President Assad’s troops.
“In this day and age, you don’t need people to radicalise you. The internet is enough.”
Lord West added: “I think the most danger is posed by ISIS acquiring a Liquid Natural Gas container.
“These are highly flammable and could cause a very large explosion.
“Britain and the US have been worried about this for some time”, Express reported.
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