Al Qaeda threat: US seeks stricter security at 15 international airports

Direct flights to the US especially from Europe, Africa and West Asia are at risk

WASHINGTON/ KAMPALA: The US has sought stricter security at foreign airports with direct flights to America in view of intelligence reports of al Qaeda planning strikes using bombs that escape security checks.

According to a New York Times report, the heightened efforts will be carried out at about 15 airports overseas but not in the United States, the officials said.

The Department of Homeland Security has provided intelligence and information about the new security measures to airlines and foreign governments. It did not provide details.

Even as the travellers flying to the US from Europe and the Middle East faced tighter security, the US embassy in Uganda warned Thursday of a “specific threat” by an unknown group to attack Entebbe international airport, which serves the capital Kampala.

Uganadan army spokesman Paddy Ankunda said troops had been deployed at the airport and in the capital, some 35 kilometres from Entebbe. The US embassy also warned its citizens of a general threat of attacks which could target hotels, restaurants, clubs, malls, diplomatic missions, government buildings and transport.

But Uganadan government spokesman Ofwono Opondo said the US was being “over sensitive in their warning”, and urged people to continue with travel plans as normal. “All the security measures have been taken,” he said. “We encourage people to go on with their business.”

Britain has also stepped up security at airports after US warning. Heathrow and Gatwick airports both said they were operating “as normal”. There were, however, some reports of queues lengthening due to the new security. A statement from 10 Downing street said there was RENEWED THREAT American intelligence has picked up information that al Qaeda bomb-makers have moved to Syria and tied up with its affiliate there to make a bomb that can escape detection, said Associated Press citing an unidentified counter-terrorism official.

There are apprehensions that many Americans and westerners now fighting with al Qaeda and other insurgents in Syria or even Iraq could be used for these strikes. Anyone with a western passport would probably not be subjected to the same strict scrutiny, enabling them to smuggle in explosives easily, without detection. an “evolving threat” to the UK and other countries but people should travel as usual.

REUTERS Police officers at a security gate inside the main terminal of Frankfurt Airport, Germany, on Thursday. Many countries including Germany and the UK have beefed up security at their airports.