Washington: The State Department has issued a global travel warning to all US citizens around the world, with a focus on the Middle East and North Africa that extends until the end of the month. The state department travel alert was based on the same intelligence information that prompted it to close 21 US embassies or consulates this Sunday.
The warning, which follows Thursday's announcement of the closings of embassies across the Muslim world on Sunday August 4, urges US citizens to be alert to "the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula." It attributed the threat of attacks "between now and the end of August" to al-Qaida and affiliated organizations. On Thursday, the department said US embassies that would normally be open this Sunday would be closed that day because of unspecified security concerns.
On Friday, it released a list of the 21 diplomatic missions, including those in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen and Sudan, among other countries. The chairman of the US House of Representatives foreign affairs committee, Ed Royce, said on Friday that he and several other lawmakers met two days ago with Vice President Joe Biden on the threat.
The State Department warns that "terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests," and reminds US citizens of potential targets such as public transportation and tourist sites, and to take precautions. "Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services," according to the statement.
"We continue to work closely with other nations on the threat from international terrorism, including from al Qaeda. Information is routinely shared between the US and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats." The statement said.
