All British nationals could be banned from Syria following a new counter-terrorism act, according to the BBC.
Home Secretary Sajid Javid has warned that the new terror act allows him to ban people from travelling into, or remaining in, certain areas of Syria. Those who disobey will face up to 10 years in prison.
Mr Javid has also announced plans for a new Espionage Bill with “new and modernised” powers designed to tackle hostility from foreign states.
The bill may also include a requirement for spies in the UK to register with the government.
Whilst speaking to senior security figures in central London, Mr Javid set out how the new Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act is expected to work.
He said: “I’ve asked my officials to work closely with police and intelligence agencies to urgently review the case for exercising this power in relation to Syria, with a particular focus on Idlib and the north east.
“So anyone who is in these areas without a legitimate reason should be on notice.”
How has the UK terrorism threat changed?
The north-western province of Idlib is the last remaining stronghold of forces opposed to President Bashar al-Assad.
Mr Javid said police and security services “have worked tirelessly” to identify people who intend to leave the UK in order to join ISIS and prevent them from leaving the UK.
Mr Javid told the House of Commons in February 2019 that 900 people from the UK were estimated to have joined the Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq.
The issue came forward after the case of Shamima Begum, who had her UK citizenship revoked by Mr Javid in February after she was found in a Syrian refugee camp.
Ms Begum left the UK to join ISIS when she was 15.
Picture: The Daily Beast
