Terror threats spark travel alerts
THE UNITED States issued an extraordinary global travel warning to Americans about the threat of an al Qaeda attack and closed down 21 embassies and consulates across the Muslim world for the weekend.
The alert was the first of its kind since an announcement preceding the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
A September 11 attack last year on a US diplomatic post in Benghazi, Libya, killed the ambassador and three other Americans.
‘‘ There is a significant threat stream, and we’re reacting to it,’’ said General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He told the ABC that the threat was ‘‘more specific’’ than previous ones and the ‘‘intent is to attack Western, not just US interests’’.
The warning said al Qaeda or its allies might target either US government or private American interests. The alert expires on August 31.
The State Department said the potential for terrorism was particularly acute in the Middle East and North Africa, with a possible attack occurring on or coming from the Arabian Peninsula.
American officials pointed specifically to Yemen, the home of al Qaeda’s most dangerous offshoot and the network blamed for several notable terrorist plots on the United States.
‘‘ Current information suggests that al Qaeda and affiliated organistions 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,’’ a department statement said.
The State Department urged American travellers to take extra precautions overseas, citing potential dangers involved with public transportation systems and other prime sites for tourists. It noted that previous terrorist attacks have centered on subway and rail networks as well as airplanes and boats.
The alert was posted a day after the US announced it would shut many diplomatic facilities. Spokeswoman Marie Harf said some missions may stay closed for longer than a day. Sunday is a business day in Muslim countries, and the diplomatic offices affected stretch from Mauritania in northwest Africa to Afghanistan.
Although the warning coincided with ‘‘ Al- Quds Day,’’ the last Friday of the Islamic month of Ramadan when people in Iran and some Arab countries express their solidarity with the Palestinians and their opposition to Israel, US officials played down any connection.
They said the threat wasn’t directed toward a specific US diplomatic post.
The concern by American officials over the Yemen- based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is not new, given the terror branch’s gains in the territory and instability in Yemen.
The group made significant territorial gains last year, capturing towns and cities in the south. A US-aided counteroffensive by the government has since pushed the militants back.
Yemen President Abdo Rabby Mansour Hadi met US President Barack Obama at the White House on Thursday, where both leaders were united on strong counterterrorism co-operation.