Why did the US Embassy send this?
WORLDWIDE CAUTION - July 16, 2008
This Worldwide Caution updates information on the
continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence
against Americans and interests throughout the world. In
some countries, the rise in oil and food prices has caused
political and economic instability and social unrest.
American citizens are reminded to maintain a high level of
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their
security awareness. This supersedes the Worldwide Caution
dated January 17, 2008.
The Department of State remains concerned about the
continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and
other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests
overseas. Current information suggests that al-Qaida and
affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist
attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions,
including Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. These
attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including
suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings,
hijackings and bombings.
Extremists may elect to use conventional or non-
conventional weapons, and target both official and private
interests. Examples of such targets include high-profile
sporting events, residential areas, business offices,
hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools,
public areas and locales where Americans gather in large
numbers, including during holidays. A July 9, 2008
terrorist attack on Turkish police guarding the U.S.
Consulate General in Istanbul killed three police officers
and wounded other police personnel. On March 15, a bomb
was detonated at an Italian restaurant in Islamabad,
killing two and injuring twelve, including five Americans.
Also on March 15, two bombs exploded at the CS Pattani
Hotel in southern Thailand killing two and injuring
thirteen. In January, a bomb in a disco pub in the
Philippines killed one and injured eight.
Americans are reminded of the potential for terrorists
to attack public transportation systems. Recent examples
include multiple anti-personnel mine detonations on
passenger buses in June 2008 in Sri Lanka, multiple
terrorist attacks on trains in India in 2006, the July
2005 London Underground bombings, and the March 2004 train
attacks in Madrid. Extremists may also select aviation
and maritime services as possible targets, such as the
August 2006 plot against aircraft in London, or the
December 2006 bomb at Madrid's Barajas International
Airport. In June 2007, a vehicle was driven into the main
terminal at Glasgow International Airport and burst into
flames, but the bomb failed to detonate.
--------------------------------
The Middle East and North Africa
--------------------------------
Credible information indicates terrorist groups seek
to continue attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle
East and North Africa. Terrorist actions may include
bombings, hijackings, hostage taking, kidnappings, and
assassinations. While conventional weapons such as
explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many
areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical
or biological agents, must be considered a possible
threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official
and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S.
facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to
seek softer targets such as public transportation,
residential areas, and public areas where people
congregate, including restaurants, hotels, clubs, and
shopping areas.
On March 18, 2008, a mortar attack on the U.S. Embassy
in Yemen injured several Yemeni citizens in the vicinity.
On January 15, a roadside explosion in Beirut, Lebanon
damaged a U.S. Embassy vehicle, killing three Lebanese and
injuring an American citizen. On December 11, 2007, two
vehicle-borne explosive devices were detonated at the UN
headquarters in Algiers and the Algerian Constitutional
Council. Three suicide bomb attacks in July and September
of 2007 in Algeria killed more than 80 people. In July
2007, suspected al-Qaida operatives carried out a vehicle-
borne explosive device attack on tourists at the Bilquis
Temple in Yemen, killing eight Spanish tourists and their
two Yemeni drivers. There was a series of bombings in
Morocco in March and April 2007, two of which occurred
simultaneously outside the U.S. Consulate General and the
private American Language Center in Casablanca.
Additionally, an attack took place on the American
International School in Gaza in April 2007. These events
underscore the intent of terrorist entities to target
facilities perceived to cater to Westerners. The
September 2006 attack on the U.S. Embassy in Syria and the
March 2006 bombing near the U.S. Consulate in Karachi,
Pakistan illustrate the continuing desire of extremists to
strike American targets.
Potential targets are not limited to those companies
or establishments with overt U.S. ties. For instance,
terrorists may target movie theaters, liquor stores, bars,
casinos, or any similar type of establishment, regardless
of whether they are owned and operated by host country
nationals. Due to varying degrees of security at all such
locations, Americans should be particularly vigilant when
visiting these establishments.
The violence in Iraq, clashes between Palestinians and
Israelis, and clashes between terrorist extremists and the
Lebanese Armed Forces have the potential to produce
demonstrations and unrest throughout the region.
Americans are reminded that demonstrations and rioting can
occur with little or no warning. In addition, the
Department of State continues to warn of the possibility
for violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests in
the region. Anti-American violence could include possible
terrorist actions against aviation, ground transportation,
and maritime interests, specifically in the Middle East,
including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, the Arabian
Peninsula, and North Africa.
The Department is concerned that extremists may be
planning to carry out attacks against Westerners and oil
workers on the Arabian Peninsula. Armed attacks targeting
foreign nationals in Saudi Arabia that resulted in many
deaths and injuries, including U.S. citizens, appear to
have been preceded by extensive surveillance. Tourist
destinations in Egypt that are frequented by Westerners
were attacked in April 2006 resulting in many deaths and
injuries, including Americans. Extremists may be
surveilling Westerners, particularly at hotels, housing
areas, and rental car facilities. Potential targets may
include U.S. contractors, particularly those related to
military interests. Financial or economic venues of value
also could be considered as possible targets; the failed
attack on the Abqaiq oil processing facility in Saudi
Arabia in late February 2006 and the September 2006 attack
on oil facilities in Yemen are examples.
-----------
East Africa
-----------
A number of al-Qaida operatives and other extremists
are believed to be operating in and around East Africa.
As a result of the conflict in Somalia, some of these
individuals may seek to relocate elsewhere in the region.
Americans considering travel to the region and those
already there should review their plans carefully, remain
vigilant with regard to their personal security, and
exercise caution. Terrorist actions may include suicide
operations, bombings, kidnappings or targeting maritime
vessels. Terrorists do not distinguish between official
and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S.
facilities has led terrorists to seek softer targets such
as hotels, beach resorts, prominent public places, and
landmarks. In particular, terrorists and likeminded
extremists may target international aid workers, civil
aviation and seaports in various locations throughout East
Africa, including Somalia. Americans in remote areas or
border regions where military or police authority is
limited or non-existent could also become targets.
Americans considering travel by sea near the Horn of
Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme
caution, as there have been several incidents of armed
attacks, robberies, and kidnappings for ransom at sea by
pirates during the past several years. Merchant vessels
continue to be hijacked in Somali territorial waters,
while others have been hijacked as far as 300 nautical
miles off the coast of Somalia in international waters.
The U.S. Government maritime authorities advise
mariners to avoid the port of Mogadishu, and to remain at
least 200 nautical miles off the coast of Somalia. In
addition, when transiting around the Horn of Africa or in
the Red Sea, it is strongly recommended that vessels
travel in convoys, and maintain good communications
contact at all times.
----------------------
South and Central Asia
----------------------
The U.S. Government continues to receive information
that terrorist groups in South and Central Asia may be
planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S.
Government facilities, American citizens, or American
interests. The presence of al-Qaida, Taliban elements,
indigenous sectarian groups, and other terror
organizations, many of which are on the U.S. Government's
list of foreign terror organizations, poses a potential
danger to American citizens in the region. Continuing
tensions in the Middle East may also increase the threat
of anti-Western or anti-American violence in the region.
14. Terrorists and their sympathizers have demonstrated
their willingness and capability to attack targets where
Americans or Westerners are known to congregate or visit.
Their actions may include, but are not limited to,
vehicle-born explosives, improvised explosive devices,
assassinations, carjackings, rocket attacks, assaults or
kidnappings. On June 2, 2008, a large bomb exploded in
front of the Danish Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan killing
at least six people and wounding nearly 20. In May 2008,
a series of coordinated bombings occurred in market and
temple areas of the tourist city of Jaipur in Rajasthan,
India. In Afghanistan, kidnappings and terrorist attacks on
international organizations, international aid workers,
and foreign interests continue. In Sri Lanka, the
Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and other groups have
conducted suicide bombings at political rallies,
government buildings, and major economic targets, and in
recent months have increasingly targeted public
transportation. Although there is no indication that
American citizens were targeted in these attacks, and none
were injured, there is a heightened risk of American
citizens being victims of violence by being in the wrong
place at the wrong time.
Previous terrorist attacks conducted in Central Asia
have involved improvised explosive devices and suicide
bombers and have targeted public areas, such as markets,
local government facilities, and, in 2004, the U.S. and
Israeli Embassies in Uzbekistan. In addition, hostage-
takings and skirmishes have occurred near the Uzbek-Tajik-
Kyrgyz border areas.
This seems like fear-mongering because they bring up old stories as if they somehow relate to right now? Bring up London? Is this a political email in your opinion? Why wouldn't they have released this before the 4th of July? Just seems strange to me.
