US renews terror alert advisory to its citizens abroad
The United States on Wednesday (Manila time) issued a new worldwide alert against terrorism, advising US nationals worldwide to take the proper precautions.
In the alert, the State Department reminded US citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
“Current information suggests that al-Qaida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings,” it said.
In the Philippines, the US Embassy in Manila relayed the alert to US nationals.
But the US Embassy clarified the notice, merely "reproduces in full" the worldwide alert issued by the State Department, "and is not specific to the Philippines."
The State Department added it “remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.”
It said extremists may use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests.
“Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and other tourist destinations both in the United States and abroad where US citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays,” it said.
Also, the warning reminded US citizens of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.
“Extremists have targeted and attempted attacks on subway and rail systems, aviation, and maritime services. In the past several years, these types of attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid, Glasgow, and New York City,” it said.
Heightened alert
The U.S. State Department said US government facilities worldwide remain on heightened alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture.
“In those instances, US embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to US citizens. US citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest US embassy or consulate,” it said.
South Asia threat
In South Asia, the State Department said the US government “continues to receive information that terrorist groups in South and Central Asia may also be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US government facilities, US citizens, or US interests.”
“The presence of al-Qaida and its affiliates [Taliban elements, Lashkar-e-Taiba, indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror organizations], many of which are on the US government’s list of Foreign Terror Organizations (FTOs), poses a potential danger to US citizens in the region,” it said.
It added terrorist actions may include vehicle-born explosive attacks, improvised explosive device attacks, assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults, or kidnappings.
The US noted attacks have occurred in a number of South Asian states, including Pakistan, where a number of extremist groups continue to target US and other Western citizens and interests, and Pakistani government and military/law enforcement personnel.
Suicide bombing attacks continue, often targeting authorities such as police checkpoints and military installations, as well as public areas such as mosques, and shopping areas, it said.
Also, it said the kidnappings of US citizens are also on the increase, noting that in Afghanistan, remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-Qaida terrorist network remain active.
There is an ongoing threat of kidnapping and assassination of U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country.
The US State Department also cited threats in Europe, Africa and Central Asia.
Traveler program
The State Department encouraged US citizens living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
“When you enroll in STEP, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. Enrolling will also make it easier for the Embassy to contact you in the event of an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date; it is particularly important when you enroll or update your information to include a current phone number and e-mail address,” it said.
“US citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security,” it added. — ELR, GMA News
In the alert, the State Department reminded US citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness.
“Current information suggests that al-Qaida, its affiliated organizations, and other terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against US interests in multiple regions, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings,” it said.
In the Philippines, the US Embassy in Manila relayed the alert to US nationals.
But the US Embassy clarified the notice, merely "reproduces in full" the worldwide alert issued by the State Department, "and is not specific to the Philippines."
The State Department added it “remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.”
It said extremists may use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests.
“Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, and other tourist destinations both in the United States and abroad where US citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays,” it said.
Also, the warning reminded US citizens of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.
“Extremists have targeted and attempted attacks on subway and rail systems, aviation, and maritime services. In the past several years, these types of attacks have occurred in cities such as Moscow, London, Madrid, Glasgow, and New York City,” it said.
Heightened alert
The U.S. State Department said US government facilities worldwide remain on heightened alert.
These facilities may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture.
“In those instances, US embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to US citizens. US citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest US embassy or consulate,” it said.
South Asia threat
In South Asia, the State Department said the US government “continues to receive information that terrorist groups in South and Central Asia may also be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US government facilities, US citizens, or US interests.”
“The presence of al-Qaida and its affiliates [Taliban elements, Lashkar-e-Taiba, indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror organizations], many of which are on the US government’s list of Foreign Terror Organizations (FTOs), poses a potential danger to US citizens in the region,” it said.
It added terrorist actions may include vehicle-born explosive attacks, improvised explosive device attacks, assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults, or kidnappings.
The US noted attacks have occurred in a number of South Asian states, including Pakistan, where a number of extremist groups continue to target US and other Western citizens and interests, and Pakistani government and military/law enforcement personnel.
Suicide bombing attacks continue, often targeting authorities such as police checkpoints and military installations, as well as public areas such as mosques, and shopping areas, it said.
Also, it said the kidnappings of US citizens are also on the increase, noting that in Afghanistan, remnants of the former Taliban regime and the al-Qaida terrorist network remain active.
There is an ongoing threat of kidnapping and assassination of U.S. citizens and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) workers throughout the country.
The US State Department also cited threats in Europe, Africa and Central Asia.
Traveler program
The State Department encouraged US citizens living overseas or planning to travel abroad to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
“When you enroll in STEP, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. Enrolling will also make it easier for the Embassy to contact you in the event of an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up to date; it is particularly important when you enroll or update your information to include a current phone number and e-mail address,” it said.
“US citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security,” it added. — ELR, GMA News
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