Strictly singular operators in asymptotic $\ell_p$ Banach spaces

We present condition on higher order asymptotic behaviour of basic sequences in a Banach space ensuring the existence of bounded non-compact strictly singular operator on a subspace. We apply it in asymptotic $\ell_p$ spaces, $1\leq p<\infty$, in particular in convexified mixed Tsirelson spaces and related asymptotic $\ell_p$ HI spaces.