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

IMF hails India’s economic reforms

The IMF on Tuesday raised India’s growth projection to 6.6 per cent, an upward swing of 0.2 percentage points…reports Asian Lite News IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Thursday praised India for

Trump plans new squeeze on Russia

US President Donald Trump plans to tighten pressure on Moscow by halting global energy imports from Russia….reports Asian Lite News Since imposing a large sum of “reciprocal” trade tariff, Trump has been

India, Lanka deepen trade, education ties

The leaders discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation between India and Sri Lanka in education and capacity building….reports Asian Lite News External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini

Yunus regime faces military heat

Army Chief, General Waker-uz-Zaman, is facing immense pressure from his officers, and this led him to cancel his visits to India and Saudi Arabia….reports Asian Lite News A major showdown is looming

India, Uganda vow deeper ties

Minister of State Kirti Vardhan Singh met Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Thursday to discuss strengthening India–Uganda ties….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh met
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Accountability must be bedrock of counter-terrorism: Jaishankar  

The minister highlighted four specific challenges with which the counter-terrorism

US regularly raised case of Stan Swamy: Spokesperson

“We are saddened to learn of the death of Father