US issues worldwide travel alert

2 August 2013 04:24 pm - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday, warning U.S. citizens about the "continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa."

In a statement, the State Department said current information suggests al Qaeda and its affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in the Middle East and beyond, and may concentrate those efforts in August.

A U.S official said the alert was based on the same intelligence information that prompted U.S. embassy closures for this Sunday.

It urged American travelers to take extra precautions when traveling overseas and suggested they sign up for State Department alerts and register with U.S. consulates in the countries they are visiting.

The alert was posted a day after the U.S. announced it would close diplomatic facilities on Sunday because of an unspecified threat. Spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department acted out of an “abundance of caution” and that some missions may stay closed for longer than a day. Sunday is a business day in Muslim countries. The diplomatic offices affected stretch from Mauritania in northwest Africa to Afghanistan.

Rep. Ed Royce, R-Calif., chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said Friday the embassy threat was linked to al-Qaida and focused on the Middle East and Central Asia.

“We’ve had a series of threats,” Royce told reporters. “In this instance, we can take a step to better protect our personnel and, out of an abundance of caution, we should.” He declined to say if the National Security Agency’s much-debated surveillance program helped reveal the threat.

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Comments - 7

limatc Friday, 02 August 2013 05:27 PM

THIS IS A BOGUS CALL TO MAKE PRESENCE US SECURITY IN THESE CONCERNED AREAS ., WHY SHUD THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA TO LISTEN TO ALL THESE BULLSHIT STORIES , WHAT IS THERE TO ATTACK , WHO IS GOING TO ATTACK , WHAT THOSE US EMBASSIES HAVE WITH THEM , IF THEY HAVE WMD THEN THERE THINKING IS RIGHT , WE TOO BELIEVE THAT . WHO IS FOOLING WHOM .

AJ-DXB Saturday, 03 August 2013 12:00 AM

this is hoax. US is using this tactic to reduce d amount of Hajj travelers as MERS virus could spread in US once these pilgrims return via DM Android App

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 03 August 2013 07:00 AM

Most probably alerted by violent incidents in Noori Estate and Weliveriya !

mercy2002 Saturday, 03 August 2013 09:27 AM

One cannot solely blame US.Its the puppet despotic arab regimes who are the bosom friends of the US who have invited them .The self imposed Arab leaders have abandoned their masses. Selfishness and nepotism cannot go hand in hand with social justice. The arab masses are justifably too are not happy with their limited lots.

saya Saturday, 03 August 2013 12:00 AM

they r killing humen all over the world . no humen right fir them . they r like isrelies via DM Android App

DMA Saturday, 03 August 2013 03:35 PM

Middle east conflict(Ex:Egypt, Palestine, Syria etc) has been created by Israel back by America is obvious..so both Israel and America have to be suffer ever in the any part of world by Muslims is reasonable.

Asanka Sunday, 04 August 2013 12:00 AM

Why you worry so much about this action? US taking precautions to save their own people working in their embassies and consulates! It is their choice whether to keep the offices or closed. If waiting for a visa and living in the Middle East I understand your frustration though!

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US issues worldwide travel alert

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