TerrorismU.S. closes 21 embassies, issues travel alert following “credible” al Qaeda threat

Published 2 August 2013

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert Friday warning al Qaeda may launch attacks in the Middle East, North Africa, and several other places. The department also closed twenty-one embassies and consulates this weekend. “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,” the State Department said in a statement.

The U.S. State Department issued a travel alert Friday warning al Qaeda may launch attacks in the Middle East, North Africa, and several other places.

The department also closed twenty-one embassies and consulates this weekend.

“The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula,” read the bulletin, by the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs. “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.”

“Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests,” the bulletin said. “U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure. Terrorists have targeted and attacked subway and rail systems, as well as aviation and maritime services.”

CNN reports that the embassies to close down are  in Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan, Yemen United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Jordan, Djibouti, Bangladesh, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Mauritania, and Sudan, as well as consulates in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The embassies and consulates will be closed on Sunday, the first day of the work week in the countries on the list. The State Department said additional closure days could be added.

Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-California) told reporters that the House had been told about the situation and the travel warnings provided “some understanding of the seriousness of the threat.”

Representative Ed Royce (R-California), chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said earlier Friday that the warning was linked to an al Qaeda threat focused on the Middle East and Central Asia.

On Thursday, a U.S. official, who was not allowed to speak publicly on the situation, described the threat as “credible and serious.”

It was “directed at American targets overseas,” but may not be confined to main diplomatic facilities, the official added.

A State Department spokeswoman, Marie Harf, told reporters on Thursday that the decision was taken “out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations.”

Officials said the time frame of the potential attacks comes with the end of Ramadan and the first anniversary attack of the terror attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazai, Libya, in which four Americans were killed.