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U.S. Issues Global Terror Threat Alert

By Lisa Haven on August 3, 2013 • ( 2 )

News correspondent calls worldwide terror alert a “terrible reminder for Americans that we are still major targets”

The State Department has issued a worldwide alert warning Americans overseas that a terrorist “plot is underway.”

The U.S. government plans to shut down more than 20 embassies and consulates, the most to be closed since 9/11.

BBC News reports, “The U.S. intercepted al-Qaeda messages” and has “issued a separate global security alert, citing jail breaks linked to al-Qaeda in nine countries.”

Martha Raddatz, an ABC News Chief Global Affairs correspondent, calls the alert a “terrible reminder for Americans that we are still major targets.”

Correspondents pointed out that the terror alert is “unusually broad and covers travel for Americans across the globe.”

Americans have been warned to be cautious when visiting tourist sites and while using public transportation.

In a statement issued by the State Department officials warned, “Terrorists may use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests.”

The warning is set to remain in effect until the end of August.

Gen. Martin Dempsey, the Chairman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff told ABC News, “It is an al-Qaeda affiliated threat. It is of the al-Qaeda branch.”

Gen. Dempsey says the specific target is unknown, however the “intent is clear to attack Western, not just U.S. interests.”

ABC News says the threat is believed to be coming from Yemen and told correspondents it’s the same region where “Anwar Al-Awlaki, a radical American cleric, directed terrorists attacks.”

This is the same Anwar al-Awlaki that dined at the Pentagon a few months after the 9/11 attack.

In 2012, Infowars reported, “American-born cleric Awlaki’s role as a key figure in almost every recent terror plot targeting the United States and Canada, coupled with his visit to the Pentagon, only confirms our long stated position that Awlaki is a chief terrorist patsy-handler for the CIA – he is the federal government’s premier false flag agent,” Paul Joseph Watson wrote.

Officials believe the latest plot could involve multiple targets both in and outside of Yemen.

CBS News reports, “Britain will close its embassy in Yemen and has urged all its citizens to leave the country.”

ABC News Chief Global Affairs correspondent warns Americans to avoid local events like “demonstrations,” and also encourages travelers to enroll in the “Smart Travel Enrollment Program (STEP).”

According to the government’s website, STEP is a “free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country.”

STEP also allows Americans residing abroad to get routine information from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

The program’s app sends you emails and texts about possible new security advisories.

CBS News Senior National Security Analyst Juan Zarate said, “These guys are for real and they want to hit the United States. They are committed global jihadis.”

In closing Zarate warns, “We know about it, and we may know about you.”