US Issues Global Travel Alert

[The Stig]

Read the original story HERE (http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/08/02/us-usa-embassies-idUSBRE9710V320130802) at Reuters


(Reuters) - The United States issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday warning Americans that al Qaeda may be planning attacks in August, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa.

The State Department travel alert was based on the same intelligence that prompted it to close 21 U.S. embassies and consulates on Sunday, August 4, chiefly those in the Muslim world, a U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

"The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens 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," its statement said.

"Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August," it added, saying the travel alert would expire on August 31.

Keep your head on a swivel folks, especially if traveling overseas. That said, I wouldn't be too complacent here at home either.

[The Stig]

Here's the travel alert from the State Department:

Original HERE (http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/02/state-department-issues-travel-alert/) on foxnews.com





The following travel alert was issued Friday by the State Department.

August 2, 2013

The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens 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. Current information suggests that al-Qa'ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August. This Travel Alert expires on August 31, 2013.

Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests. U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services. U.S. citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling.

We continue to work closely with other nations on the threat from international terrorism, including from al-Qa'ida. Information is routinely shared between the U.S. and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.

We recommend U.S. citizens register their travel plans with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy through the State Department's travel registration website. We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens Traveling abroad enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website at travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Download our free Smart Traveler app, available through iTunes or Google Play, to have travel information at your fingertips.

In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from other countries, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays).

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/02/state-department-issues-travel-alert/#ixzz2aqzp6e77

[The Stig]

Looks like the powers that be are also beefing up security here at home....


Federal Officials Boosting Security Efforts Inside US Homeland

Terrorist Threat Causes Worldwide Travel Bulletin

By MIKE LEVINE (@mlevinereports)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2013

Federal authorities are boosting security in the United States after intelligence agencies detected a credible threat to Western interests overseas and the government began closing diplomatic posts in some Muslim countries, according to homeland security officials.

The Department of Homeland Security is increasing security measures at airports, train stations and other transportation hubs, and expanding scrutiny of visitors coming into the United States, two officials told ABC News.

The FBI, meanwhile, is "working sources" and taking other "logical steps" to monitor any potential threat, an FBI official said.

The officials said the latest measures are being taken "out of an abundance of caution," and the recent intelligence contains "no nexus" to the U.S. homeland. However, there is an "air of mystery" and "uncertainty of exactly what the target is," one official said.

Original story HERE (http://abcnews.go.com/US/federal-officials-boosting-security-efforts-inside-us-homeland/story?id=19862174) at ABCnews

[The Stig]

And more on the overseas threats from Foxnews...



State Department to keep some embassies closed, as lawmakers say terror threat 'specific’ and ‘serious'
Published August 04, 2013
FoxNews.com

The State Department has announced that it will keep several embassies in the Middle East and Africa closed throughout the week “out of an abundance of caution” in the wake of terror threats that shut them down.

Posts in Abu Dhabi, Amman, Cairo, Riyadh, Dhahran, Jeddah, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Manama, Muscat, Sanaa, Tripoli, Antanarivo, Bujumbura, Djibouti, Khartoum, Kigali and Port Louis have been instructed to close for normal operations from Monday through Saturday, department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/04/chambliss-sources-terror-chatter-beyond-anything-heard-since-before-11/#ixzz2b2vkgiFE


Other highlights from the story...


Sources confirmed with Fox News the chatter was picked up over the past two weeks and exceeds anything in the past decade. They also said the extraordinary volume of chatter was preceded by months of “absolute quietness.”

The sources said the chatter included Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri demanding that key leaders of the terror network in the Arabian Peninsula step up their activities in the wake of recent killings of top terrorists.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/04/chambliss-sources-terror-chatter-beyond-anything-heard-since-before-11/#ixzz2b2vxXEB8



The sources also said the U.S. outpost closings and the travel alert were prompted in part by a series of recent Al Qaeda-led prison breaks that have freed hundreds of operatives over the last month, including one this weekend in Aleppo, Syria. Other recent breaks have been orchestrated in Iraq, Libya and Pakistan and Abu Ghraib, in Afghanistan.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/04/chambliss-sources-terror-chatter-beyond-anything-heard-since-before-11/#ixzz2b2w0vrXh



New York Republican Rep. Pete King, who leads the House Homeland Security subcommittee on counterterrorism and intelligence, said the threat included dates but not locations of possible attacks.

"The threat was specific as to how enormous it was going to be and also that certain dates were given," he said on ABC.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/08/04/chambliss-sources-terror-chatter-beyond-anything-heard-since-before-11/#ixzz2b2wXhAJU

[The Stig]

Original story HERE (http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2013/08/03/Middle-East-Jailbreaks-Connected-To-Security-Threat) on Breitbart



The massive jailbreaks in Iraq, Libya, and Pakistan are linked to the travel advisory sent out by the United States and United Kingdom. Interpol is asking countries to investigate any connections between the breaks.

Two hundred and forty eight prisoners escaped in Pakistan, 30 of whom were jailed because of their involvement in serious attacks. Hundreds of al-Qaeda members escaped from two prisons in Iraq on July 22 and 1,200 escaped from a Benghazi prison just five days later.

A little more information regarding the recent prison escapes and their connection to the terror threats.

[izzyscout21]

Just proves the point that these terrorists are still strong and viable. I see no end in sight for these threats.

i think we have to accept that this is the new norm and be vigilant and ready to respond.

[Gunfixr]

^^^^^^ Yes to what he said ^^^^^^

[ElevenBravo]

NOOO! Not yet, I dont have all my preps and ammo banked up quite yet...

:-)

EB