U.S. loosens security measures for travelers from 14 Muslim countries
Following the failed Christmas Day bombing attempt on a Detroit-bound plane, the United States imposed much stricter security measures on travelers to the United States from fourteen Muslim countries; DHS announced over the weekend that these measures will now be loosened, and that new measures, utilizing “real-time, threat-based intelligence” will be used instead
The United States has loosened security measures imposed on fourteen Muslim countries in January, introduced after a failed suicide bombing on Christmas Day last year, it was announced at the weekend. The countries affected are Afghanistan, Algeria, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Arabian Business reports that the new measures are designed significantly to reduce the number of passengers pulled aside for additional screening and will not be based on nationality or passport, but on characteristics pulled together by intelligence agencies.
“These new measures utilize real-time, threat-based intelligence along with multiple, random layers of security, both seen and unseen, to more effectively mitigate evolving terrorist threats,” said Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano.
The Dawn reports that under the new arrangement, passengers traveling to the United States from international destinations may notice enhanced security and random screening measures throughout the passenger check-in and boarding process, including the use of explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams, or pat downs, among other security measures.
