U.S. says al-Qaeda plotting August terror attack, issues worldwide travel alert

[News_Editor]

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- Al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations are plotting to carry out terrorist attacks in the coming weeks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, the U.S. government warned Friday as it issued a worldwide travel alert for U.S. citizens abroad.

The U.S. State Department said the threat focuses particularly on the Middle East and North Africa, and may be emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. "Current information suggests that al-Qaeda and affiliated organizations 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," it said.

The department issued a Worldwide Travel Alert to caution U.S. citizens abroad about the terror plot, urging them to take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling. It said terrorists may elect to use "a variety of means and weapons" to target both official and private interests, including public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.

"We continue to work closely with other nations on the threat from international terrorism, including from al-Qaeda," the State Department said in the Travel Alert, which expires on August 31. "Information is routinely shared between the U.S. and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats."

On late Thursday, U.S. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the department had instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday due to security concerns. At least fourteen embassies and consulates, almost all of them in the Middle East, have since announced their Sunday closure.

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