I awoke this morning to news that raids had been carried out in houses across West Yorkshire in the UK. The suspects, who now appear to have carried out suicide bomb attacks on London, were British citizens:

"Detectives now believe the London bombings were carried out by four British-born men in what were possibly the country's first suicide attacks. Security sources said it was likely at least three of the men, said to be of Pakistani descent, are dead, after belongings were found at the scenes. The details emerged as explosives were found in Leeds and Luton after a series of raids. One man has been arrested"

1. 0630 BST: Two houses raided in Beeston
2. Two houses raided at same time in Thornhill, Dewsbury
3. One House raided in Holbeck
4. 1320 BST: Controlled explosion in Burley - link

What astounded me most though is that raids were carried out in Leeds, the city I went to University, and Dewsbury, the town no-one has ever heard of where I grew up!!! What's more the houses stormed in Dewsbury were located in Thornhill, a 10 minute bike ride from my home!!! I got to say I feel VERY VERY far away in Japan right now.

I also have to say this... Maybe people will believe that fear is a normal response to this kind of news, especially for someone like me whose family live in the vicinity of the raided houses. Let me tell you this, I do feel fear, but it is NOTHING to do with the multicultural country I call my home. What makes me fear the most is the way that people across the world will react to this news, the intensity with which ignorance will continue to spread.

Categories: Maps, Terrorism, Yorkshire, Dewsbury, UK, Britain, Leeds, News, Politics, London Bombings, Suicide Bombers, London

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