WASHINGTON, D.C.
The U.S. State Department has issued a global travel alert based on an unspecified threat linked to al-Qaida and purportedly based in Central Asia or the Middle East.
The alert came after an announcement reporting that the U.S. will shut down its embassies and consulates in the Middle East on Sunday for a day and possibly longer.
Officials from the state department emphasized that the alert was issued out of an abundance of caution. It admonishes Americans to employ added precautions when journeying overseas and recommends they sign up for State Department alerts, as well as registering with U.S. consulates in the nations they are visiting.
The alert specifically warned that al-Qaida—or its allies— may target U.S. government or private American interests, and cited hazards tied to public transportation systems and other popular sites for tourists, highlighting that past such attacks have taken place on subways, rail networks, boats and planes.
