Breaking News

US issues worldwide travel alert

02 Aug 2013 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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.

Breaking News

US issues worldwide travel alert

Most Popular Articles

2026 FIFA World Cup Schedule in Sri Lankan Standard Time

Breaking Down the Israel–Iran Conflict: What We Know So Far - Day 108

’’Cut out the noise, focus on your game’’; Sri Lanka great reaches out to Sooryavanshi

Struggling Pizza Hut chain to be sold for $2.7bn

Heavy rain expected as El Niño conditions set to develop globally after February: Officials

Sri Lankan Rupee strengthens against US Dollar

Latest News

Over 225,000 students qualify for A/Ls

Trump unveils Qatari luxury jet for Air Force One fleet

Court dismisses Daya Group’s writ application against People’s Bank auction

Dominican national nabbed with Hashish worth over Rs. 375Mn

Showers expected in several provinces