The U.S. Department of State on May 17 issued a “worldwide caution” alert for U.S. citizens to remain alert for possible terrorist attacks or other violent actions against Americans.
In a “security alert” posted on its website, the agency states that the warning was sent because of the “potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations, or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Americans who are overseas are encouraged to use “increased caution,” the alert states.
“Stay alert in locations frequented by tourists, including Pride celebrations and venues frequented” by LGBT people, the bulletin states. It did not provide any specific details about any alleged or reported terrorist plots.
On May 10, the agency issued a statement to U.S. citizens in the Middle East, cautioning them to heed a travel advisory for Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank because of active military operations in the area.
The Israel–Hamas conflict has led to a “complex situation” that could have implications for U.S. citizens’ safety, the department said, adding that the Israel Defense Forces currently have control over the Gaza side of the Rafah crossing.
Israel has said that about 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of about 30 more. Military officials and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on May 17 that its forces found the bodies of three Israeli hostages killed by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack, including German Israeli Shani Louk.
Mr. Netanyahu called the deaths “heartbreaking,” saying in a statement, “We will return all of our hostages, both the living and the dead.”
Hamas-led terrorists killed about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, and abducted about 250 others in the Oct. 7 attack. About half of those hostages have since been freed, most in swaps for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel during a week-long cease-fire in November 2023.
FBI and DHS Warning
In a separate bulletin, both the FBI and DHS said that groups such as the ISIS terrorist group might “seek to exploit increased gatherings associated” with Pride-related events. The terrorist threats could come via the mail, in person, or online, the agencies stated without elaborating or providing specific details.The bulletin noted that June 12 is the eighth anniversary of the mass shooting at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando in which 49 people died. After the incident, pro-ISIS groups “praised this attack as one of the high-profile attacks in Western countries” and “supporters celebrated it,” according to the FBI and DHS.
Both agencies also noted that in February 2023, an ISIS-related message board had included “rhetoric and rallied against the growth and promotion” of LGBT groups.
The two agencies revealed “possible indicators” of what they called “potential threat activity,” which includes “unusual surveillance or interest in buildings, gatherings, or events” as well as “unusual or prolonged testing or probing of security measures at events or venues,” violent threats made online or in person, and photography of security related equipment or personnel.
Mr. Cornyn, who was speaking at a congressional hearing, added that he believes that it is only a matter of when, not if, a terrorist attack is carried out on U.S. soil.
Several weeks ago, FBI Director Chris Wray said foreign terrorist groups are again looking to attack the United States in an “increasingly concerning” way, noting that his agency is attempting to prevent an attack on U.S. soil via terrorist groups such as ISIS-K, a regional branch of ISIS mainly in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
