Biggest-ever threat of 9/11-style attack after Taliban unveils hellish cabinet of terrorists, warns ex-Col Richard Kemp

THE West is facing the biggest ever threat of a 9/11-style terror attack, the former commander of UK forces in Afghanistan has said. Colonel Richard Kemp told The Sun Online the hellish new regime of “hardened terrorists” means Afghanistan will be a springboard for global jihadists, with threat of weapons mass destruction a terrifying possibility. GettyThe threat of a terrorist atrocity is greater than before 9/11[/caption] When the Taliban previously ruled Afghanistan, they provided Al-Qaeda will training camps from which they planned 9/11. After they swept to power in a lightening victory that shocked the world, the Taliban gave assurances they wouldn’t back terrorists as they had done in the past. But Col. Kemp said judging by the make-up of their government, the Taliban’s promises are worthless. “This government is made up of the Taliban old guard who allowed Al-Qaeda to plan the attacks on 9/11 and they won’t hesitate to make Afghanistan a hub for international jihadists,” said Col. Kemp. “One of them was the leader of a suicide bomb network, another one, the Prime Minister is on the UN sanctions list, the interior minister Haqqani is on the FBI’s most wanted list and it goes on. “These are hardened, active terrorists – they are not reformed people. “On that basis, I think we’re now entering a period that will see the greatest threat level from terrorism that we’ve ever known, greater even than before 2001.” Most read in The Sun DRIVEN UP THE WALL Woman horrified after coming home to find 20ft wall towering over garden GIVE EM HELL Emily Atack struggles to 'control' boobs as she strips to VERY sexy bikini confus-nan Amanda Holden fans baffled by ‘her nan’ Myrtle as they think new show is REAL RUNAWAY PRINCE Andrew bolts for Balmoral in bid to avoid being served sex assault papers MIAOW! Pussycat Dolls in bitter legal war after Nicole Scherzinger demanded 75% of earnings BOJO'S BIGGEST GAMBLE What the PM's tax hikes mean for YOU after huge social care overhaul He described Afghanistan as now “basically a terrorist state which is a quantum difference between isolated jihadist groups around the world”. Already, the American government has expressed concerns about the all-male Taliban government which contains members linked attacks on US – and UK – troops. Col. Kemp said the prospect of a 9/11 – style terrorist spectacular using weapons of mass destruction is a prospect that needs to be taken seriously. “Jihadists everywhere are desperate to use weapons of mass destruction – nuclear weapons, chemical weapons, biological weapons,” he said. “For years they’ve been working on the acquisition of these weapons and they will continue to try to do so. These are hardened, active terrorists – they are not reformed people Col. Richard Kemp “They will also concentrate on spectacular attacks, involving aircraft as we saw in 9/11, though not necessarily in the same way as 9/11, but it remains the focus of their attention. “Anything where they can attract the most attention, that’s where they will try to attack. Major events like football matches, parades, where’s there’s lots of cameras and there’s the potential for mass killing.” Prominent Al-Qaeda figures have already begun reappearing in the country. Amin ul-Haq, who was also responsible for guarding Osama bin Laden and supplying arms, was filmed returning to his hometown in the Nangahar province of Afghanistan. As well as Al-Qaeda making a return, Afghanistan is also home to a branch of the Islamic State, which has been active in planning attacks on the west from the country. The country is now the epicentre of global jihadi activity said Col. Kemp. ‘SPECTACULAR ATTACKS’ “The remarkable success of the Taliban has been greatest victory for jihadists in modern times and it is an inspiration for jihadists everywhere,” he said. “They’ve been celebrating it and it will inspire them to attack and invigorate them. It will allow them to attract greater funding and increase their recruitment. “Around the world we will see insurgent groups that will want to take over countries inspired by the success of the Taliban. “The terrorists in Afghanistan know that the western appetite for intervention no longer exists so they will be able to act more boldly will less fear of retaliation from the West.” We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.