August 15, 2021
2 mins read

US govt issues new terrorism threat warning ahead of 9/11 anniversary

It cited increased use of “online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity.”…reports Asian Lite News.

The US Department of Homeland Security issued a new terrorism threat advisory on Friday ahead of the anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks and amid a resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin said the United States faces a “heightened threat environment” from both domestic terrorists “and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences.”

It cited increased use of “online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity.”

The new advisory updated a January alert following the attack on the US Congress by supporters of then-president Donald Trump, when DHS said the country faced “increasingly complex and volatile” threats from anti-government and racially motivated extremists, often stirred up by online influence from abroad.

The bulletin had already been amended in May, with DHS warning violent extremists could exploit the easing of Covid-19 restrictions to conduct attacks.

“Extremists may seek to exploit the emergence of Covid-19 variants by viewing the potential re-establishment of public health restrictions across the United States as a rationale to conduct attacks,” the DHS advisory said, adding that “pandemic-related stressors… may contribute to more violence this year.”

Despite a rapid vaccination program, coronavirus case numbers have increased sharply in recent months in the United States due to the spread of the Delta variant, prompting new health measures.

The advisory, which expires on November 11, also noted that in the lead-up to the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the Yemeni branch of Al-Qaeda, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), had put out an English-language version of its propaganda “Inspire” magazine for the first time in over four years.

Al-Qaeda militant(WIKIPEDIA)

This “demonstrates that foreign terrorist organizations continue efforts to inspire US-based individuals susceptible to violent extremist influences,” DHS said.

The United States, which considers AQAP the terror group’s most dangerous branch, has carried out a campaign of drone strikes against its fighters in Yemen since soon after the 9/11 attacks.

DHS was established after 9/11 and regularly issues terrorism threat adviseries.

ALSO READ-Biden increases troops deployment to Afghanistan

READ MORE-Dhaka protests against Pak sponsored terrorism

Previous Story

US Embassy in Kabul destroys sensitive materials

Next Story

US backs Lithuania amid China threat over Taiwan issue

Latest from -Top News

Mass Expulsions Close Afghan Shops in Pakistan

As Pakistan intensifies its mass deportation drive against Afghan refugees, the once-bustling Afghan-owned businesses in Rawalpindi are falling silent. With the March 31 deadline for repatriation passed, a growing number of Afghan-run

South Korea Sets June 3 Presidential Election

South Korea will hold a presidential election on June 3, the government confirmed on Tuesday, setting the stage for a new leadership following the impeachment and removal of former President Yoon Suk

RPP Rallies for Return of Nepal’s Monarchy

Police on alert as royalist rallies return to the capital Kathmandu witnessed heightened tensions on Tuesday as the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) staged a high-profile demonstration demanding the reinstatement of Nepal’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US Puts Afghanistan Back On Front Burner

The US action against the IS-K leadership comes at a

5 Pakistani teens nabbed in Spain on terrorism charges

The arrests triggered the alert especially after learning that the