US issues worldwide travel alert

The State Department issued the travel warning, based on what is thought to be a Yemen-based threat. Britain has also closed its Sana’a embassy for two days. A total of 21 US embassies were due to close today, largely across the ‘Muslim world’ said a US official – based on the same intelligence. Its statement said: “The Department of State alerts US citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula. Current information suggests that al-Qaeda 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 travel alert is due to expire on 31 August.” US security sources, were quoted by Reuters on condition of anonymity, saying the threat was related to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), but there was not a specific target. They also admitted it was aimed at Western interests. Source: Travel Daily