The U.S. State Department has issued a worldwide travel alert for Americans abroad, covering the entire month of August. The announcement followed news that several embassies throughout the Middle East and North Africa would be closed over an Al Qaeda threat.
In a statement, the State Department said that the alert is directed to Americans traveling in the Middle East and North Africa, saying that there are threats of terrorist attacks, particularly in the Arabian peninsula.
“Current information suggests that al-Qa’ida and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August,” the statement reads.
The statement notes that terrorists have attacked public and tourist infrastructure in the past and warns U.S. citizens to “take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling.”
The department also suggested that travelers sign up with the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) system, which will allow a U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you if there’s an emergency.
According to Bloomberg, the alert was issued just as the State Department confirmed that several embassies would be closed Sunday. “The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday,” department spokeswoman Marie Harf said Thursday.
An official told Bloomberg that the information that has lead to the alerts and embassy closures is credible, but not solid. “It’s my understanding that it is al Qaeda-linked, all right, and the threat emanates in the Middle East and in Central Asia,” Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA) told CNN.