A series of high profile terrorist attacks over the past several weeks has governments around the work on high alert. On Monday, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert for American citizens stating: “current information suggests that [ISIS] (aka Da’esh), al-Qaida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions.”
Here’s more from the State Department:
Authorities believe the likelihood of terror attacks will continue as members of ISIL/Da’esh return from Syria and Iraq. Additionally, there is a continuing threat from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis. Extremists have targeted large sporting events, theatres, open markets, and aviation services.
The alert essentially confirms what most people already know: After a number of attacks in the last month, there is an elevated risk for Americans traveling abroad. The State Department memo specifically mentions attacks this year in Paris, Nigeria, Denmark, Turkey, Mali, and the ISIS-claimed bombing of a Russian plane in Egypt. ISIS also claimed responsibility for the Lebanon bombing earlier this month that killed dozens. Reuters reports: “A State Department official noted that the agency has issued worldwide travel alerts in the past and said this latest alert effectively updated past warnings.” The travel alert expires in three months.
