The US State Department issued a new terrorist attack warning on Tuesday evening urging Americans to take “worldwide caution” when traveling due to a heightened risk of “terrorist attacks” and “anti-American violence” in the wake of the death of Ayman al-Zawahri, a terrorist leader who the Biden administration claimed was killed in a US drone strike on Monday.
The State Department said in the alert that it “remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas.” It added that “there is a higher potential for anti-American violence given the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri.”
“Current information suggests that terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions across the globe,” the department added. “These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.”
The department recommended American travelers “maintain a high level of vigilance” and “practice good situational awareness.” Americans should also “monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.”
State also warned that US government facilities worldwide could temporarily close or suspend public services due to security concerns, but noted that US embassies and consulates “will make every effort to provide emergency services to US citizens.”
Prior to traveling abroad, the State Department recommends Americans review country-specific Travel Advisories and information pages on travel.state.gov. Travels can also sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive emergency messages.
“The Department uses these security messages to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc.,” the department explained.
The precision airstrike that took out Al-Zawahri occurred on Saturday night U.S. time when an unmanned U.S. drone fired two hellfire missiles at the terrorist while he was positioned on the balcony of his safehouse in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan.
Biden called Al-Zawahri the deputy of terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden who was “deeply involved in the planning of 9/11” and the deaths of 2,977 people in those attacks. Al-Zawahri also helped orchestrate the 2000 bombing of USS Cole that killed 17 U.S. sailors and injured dozens more.
The terrorist leader’s presence in Afghanistan comes after the Biden administration’s botched withdrawal and evacuation left the Middle Eastern nation in the hands of the Taliban, a militant group that the Biden White House previously described as “businesslike and professional.”
Taliban members took action to conceal Al-Zawahiri’s presence from the safehouse in Kabul after his death, including quickly relocating his family members and emptying the safehouse, a senior administration official said.
