US issues worldwide alert for its citizens
Play
THE UNITED States Department of State has issued a worldwide caution alerting US citizens of the continuing threat of terrorism.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the department said that after terrorists took over a shopping mall in Kenya, it was more concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other forms of violence against US citizens and American interests overseas.
“Current information suggests that al-Qaeda, its affiliated organisations, along with other terrorist groups 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,” the statement said.
It also said that latest information suggests that al-Qaeda and its affiliated organisations are planning to attack US interests in Europe, and intelligence data also indicates that terrorist groups are seeking to continue attacks in the Middle East and North Africa.
A number of al-Qaeda operatives and other extremists are believed to be operating in and around Africa.
The US government has also learned that terrorist groups in South Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against US government facilities, US citizens or US interests.
The Department of State is, therefore, calling on all US citizens living overseas or planning to travel to enrol in the Smart Traveller Enrolment Programme (STEP), which will keep them updated on the latest security measures and will make it easier for embassies to contact them in cases of emergency.
US government facilities worldwide have been told to remain at a heightened state of alert. Some might be temporarily closed or periodically suspended to assess their security posture.
Extremists may choose to use conventional or non-conventional weapons, and target both official and private interests, it said.
Examples of such targets include high-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls, and other tourist destinations both in the United States and abroad where US citizens gather in large numbers, including during holidays.
The statement from the United States Department of State can be accessed at http://travel.state.gov/|travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4787.html.
