State Department issues worldwide advisory
Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2004 8:04 am
Wednesday, March 24, 2004
State Department issues worldwide advisory
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department issued a worldwide advisory warning Americans overseas of increasing threats from terrorist organizations such as Hamas and al-Qaida. The State Department cited growing threats from Hamas against American interests abroad since Israel's killing of the group's spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, on Monday.
The recent terrorist attack in Madrid, Spain, and continuing assaults against American targets in the Middle East also prompted the advisory which was issued Tuesday. It updated a similar warning issued last Friday. U.S. government facilities abroad remain at a heightened state of alert and may temporarily close from time to time to gauge security threats, the State Department said. It urged Americans abroad to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
The department also issued travel advisories Tuesday for the Middle East and North Africa, Israel and Iraq. Credible information indicates terrorist groups may be planning attacks against American targets in the Middle East, the department said. The security situation in Iraq is dangerous and the threat to all Americans there remains extremely high, the department said.
Americans are urged to depart from Gaza as soon as possible and to defer travel to Israel. The department also encouraged Americans in Israel to avoid public places and crowded areas.
State Department issues worldwide advisory
WASHINGTON (AP) - The State Department issued a worldwide advisory warning Americans overseas of increasing threats from terrorist organizations such as Hamas and al-Qaida. The State Department cited growing threats from Hamas against American interests abroad since Israel's killing of the group's spiritual leader, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, on Monday.
The recent terrorist attack in Madrid, Spain, and continuing assaults against American targets in the Middle East also prompted the advisory which was issued Tuesday. It updated a similar warning issued last Friday. U.S. government facilities abroad remain at a heightened state of alert and may temporarily close from time to time to gauge security threats, the State Department said. It urged Americans abroad to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
The department also issued travel advisories Tuesday for the Middle East and North Africa, Israel and Iraq. Credible information indicates terrorist groups may be planning attacks against American targets in the Middle East, the department said. The security situation in Iraq is dangerous and the threat to all Americans there remains extremely high, the department said.
Americans are urged to depart from Gaza as soon as possible and to defer travel to Israel. The department also encouraged Americans in Israel to avoid public places and crowded areas.
