Possible al-Qaeda threat closes all US embassies Sunday across Middle East

[waterman13]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/01/19820594-possible-al-qaeda-threat-closes-all-us-embassies-sunday-across-middle-east?lite

 

Possible al-Qaeda threat closes all US embassies Sunday across Middle East

U.S. officials, responding to an unspecified threat to diplomatic posts overseas, will shut down some U.S. embassies in the Middle East and North Africa. NBC's Pete Williams reports.

By M. Alex Johnson, Staff Writer, NBC News

The United States is closing all of its embassies Sunday in the Middle East and parts of Asia because of a possible al-Qaeda-related threat to diplomatic posts worldwide, American officials told NBC News on Thursday.

The U.S. has been "apprised of information that out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations, that indicates we should institute these precautionary steps," said State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.

She didn't say which or how many embassies would be closed or what kind of information led to the decision, but she said the closings could be extended, "depending on our analysis."A senior State Department official told NBC News that all embassies that are usually open in Sundays — primarily those in Muslim countries and Israel — would be closed Aug. 4 "out of an abundance of caution." Sunday is a normal workday in those countries.

 

The officials said the threat appeared to be related to al-Qaeda and tied to Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting, which ends Wednesday. It was aimed at overseas diplomatic posts, not at facilities inside the U.S., they said.

No further details were immediately available.

Sunday is President Barack Obama's 52nd birthday, and it's also the day Iran inaugurates Hassan Rowhani as its new president. But U.S. officials told NBC News they had heard nothing to indicate that the date was chosen for either of those reasons.

 

[SgtFuryUSCZ]

http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/08/01/19820594-possible-al-qaeda-threat-closes-all-us-embassies-sunday-across-middle-east?lite

 

Sunday is President Barack Obama's 52nd birthday, and it's also the day Iran inaugurates Hassan Rowhani as its new president. But U.S. officials told NBC News they had heard nothing to indicate that the date was chosen for either of those reasons.

***///

 

yup, that's his typical ARROGANCE rearing it's ugly head again ----

 

 to even suggest that he is all THAT important to anyone that even lowly Islamic terrorists

would choose HIS birthday to make a fuss....

 

he is screwed up.

[Dinar_o'saurs]

Emergency Messages for U.S. Citizens

 

 August 1, 2013

 

The Department of State has instructed certain U.S. Embassies and Consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4. The Department has been apprised of information that, out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations, indicates we should institute these precautionary steps. It is possible we may have additional days of closings as well, depending on our analysis. Accordingly, Embassy Baghdad will be closed on Sunday, August 4. U.S. citizens requiring emergency assistance should contact the Duty Officer at 0770-443-1286.

The Department, when conditions warrant, takes steps like this to balance our continued operations with security and safety. However, beyond this announcement we do not discuss specific threat information, security considerations or measures, or other steps we may be taking.

For further information, we refer you to the Worldwide Caution put out by the Department dated February 19, 2013, repeated below:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4787.html

As a matter of general practice, U.S. citizens should avoid areas where large gatherings may occur. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.

Review your personal security plans; remain aware of your surroundings, including local events; and monitor local news stations for updates. Maintain a high level of vigilance, take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security and follow instructions of local authorities.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Iraq enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Internet website at travel.state.gov where the Worldwide Caution, Country Specific Information, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook as well. Download our free Smart Traveler app, available through iTunes or Google Play, to have travel information at your fingertips.

Up to date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The U.S. Embassy is located at Al Kindi Street, IZ, Baghdad. Public hours for American Citizen Services are Sunday through Thursday, 08:00-12:00, by appointment only. If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is 0770-443-128, from the United States: 011-964-770-443-1286.

Edited August 2, 2013 by Dinar_o'saurs