‘Near-term
attacks’: State Dept. issues Europe-wide travel alert as US ramps
up security at home
RT,
23
March, 2016
Citing
risks of “near-term” terrorist attacks, the US has warned
Americans against traveling anywhere in Europe and boosted security
at home since twin blasts in Brussels left more than 30 people dead
over 230 wounded, including several US citizens.
“Terrorist
groups continue to plan near-term attacks throughout Europe,
targeting sporting events, tourist sites, restaurants and
transportation,” the State Department said in a statement.
The
Department has urged its citizens to be attentive and cautious when
in crowded places or using public transportation, and to be
especially vigilant while attending religious holidays, festivals,
and similar events that attract large numbers of people.
Department of State
U.S. citizens alerted to potential risks of travel to and throughout Europe following #BrusselsAttacks. Details: http://travel.state.gov
“We
work closely with our allies and will continue to share information
with our European partners that will help identify and counter
terrorist threats,” the department said.
U.S. citizens in #Brussels should monitor local media, follow @TravelGov and @usembbrussels for updates. Details: http://go.usa.gov/c7Hbh
The
new travel alert, which extends to all countries “throughout
Europe,” will stay in effect for the next 90 days – until June
20.
The
US issued a “Crisis in Belgium” guide following the terror
attacks, calling on its citizens to shelter in places and “take the
appropriate steps to bolster your personal security.”
US
media reported earlier that at least nine Americans had been among
the over 230 injured in Tuesday’s attacks, including three Utah
Mormon missionaries and an Air Force member and his family.
The
State Department could not immediately confirm that information,
however, though it admitted that it was aware that US citizens had
been among those wounded.
“I’m
going to avoid giving a specific number,” spokesman John Kirby told
an AP reporter. “It would be irresponsible for me to give out a
number now when the numbers are actually changing literally by the
hour,” he said, adding that he would leave it to “the medical
people” to “patch these folks up.”
Kirby
was also reluctant to comment on allegedly hurt Mormon missionaries,
saying that he “can’t confirm specific individuals.”
When
asked whether any American tourists had been hospitalized, Kirby
replied that he “honestly” didn’t know.
In
the meantime, the FBI and New York police officers are sending a team
to Brussels to investigate the explosions, John Miller, New York
deputy police commissioner for intelligence and counterterrorism,
told reporters earlier on Tuesday.
“Because
there are Americans among the casualties and US persons in the attack
in Belgium, there will be an FBI investigation coming out of the New
York City Joint Terrorism Task Force,” Miller told the media. “We
expect agents and New York City detectives, or Task Force officers,
to be gearing up to leave for that investigation overseas as early as
tonight or tomorrow.”
‘Public
safety is paramount’
US
cities and airports have stepped up security and surveillance in the
wake of the attacks in Belgium.
Police
presence has been ramped up at all three of New York City’s major
air hubs – John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty, and
LaGuardia.
“NYPD
is on increased alert across our city. While we take this threat
seriously, we will not live in fear. Our lives will continue today in
honor of those lost to terrorism,” New York City Mayor Bill De
Blasio said. “Securing New York City is our show of solidarity with
the people of Brussels and the victims of terrorism worldwide.”
New
York State governor Andrew Cuomo directed law enforcement officials
to step up security at high-profile locations around the state,
including bridges and tunnels, stressing that “public safety is
paramount.”
While
security has been tightened, New York Police Department spokesman J.
Peter Donald said that “there is no known indication that the
attack has any nexus to New York City.”
Metro
Transit Police officers in Washington, DC began performing additional
K9 sweeps and patrols following news of the deadly blasts in Belgium.
Metro Transit Police
No known, specific or credible threat to Metro at this time. Additional K9 sweeps + patrols starting this AM as precaution. #wmata
The
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority said that robust security,
both visible and behind-the-scenes, is currently in place.
MTPD is closely monitoring events in Brussels w/our fed partners. If you see something, say something: 202-962-2121 or text MyMTPD. #wmata
Elsewhere
in the US, security measures have been stepped up in Atlanta, Boston,
Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Miami, and Philadelphia in order to
prevent Brussels-like attacks.
"Security
has been strengthened for our public transit systems and airports,
and law enforcement teams will remain vigilant to ensure the safety
of our citizens,” Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said.
‘Europe is at war’: Leaders speak out against deadly terrorists attacks in Brussels
World
leaders have spoken out against the terrorist attacks in Brussels
with French Prime Minister Manuel Valls saying that the continent is
“at war,” while the German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere
said it was an attack against the EU’s freedom.
The
Belgian capital was rocked by a twin blast at the city’s airport at
around 8am local time (07:00 GMT) and an explosion at the Maalbeek
Metro station, just meters away from a number of EU buildings less
than an hour later. At least 34 people have been killed in what the
Belgian authorities have said were both terrorist attacks.
Meanwhile,
the Belgian Federal Prosecutor Frederic Van Leeuw says that some of
those who took part in the assaults could still be at large.
"The
court investigator is engaged in the probe into the events in
Zaventem [Brussels airport] in order to do everything possible to
determine the perpetrators and find out whether they remain at
large," he said at a press conference.
Valls,
who was speaking at an emergency meeting at the Elysee Palace, said
“We are at war and have been suffering for several months in
Europe,” in regards to the November 13 Paris terror attacks, which
killed 130 people in the French capital.
“We
are faced with war and we need to be mobilized at all times,” the
French PM added. His President Francois Hollande offered his
condolences to those affect in Brussels.
“I
express my full solidarity with the Belgian people. The whole of
Europe has been hit by the Brussels attacks,” Hollande tweeted.
Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve announced that France would
deploy an extra 1,600 security personnel along its borders.
The
German Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said that the attacks on
the Belgian capital were aimed not just at Belgium, but also at the
whole of the European Union and the freedoms that it stands for.
"It
seems that the clear targets of the attacks - an international
airport, a Metro station close to EU institutions - indicate that
this terrorist attack is not aimed solely against Belgium, but
against our freedom, freedom of movement, mobility and everyone in
the EU," he told a news conference in Berlin, according to
Reuters.
The
scenes in Brussels prompted Germany to also step up security measures
at transport hubs, as well as its western borders.
British
Prime Minister David Cameron said he would chair a crisis response
meeting following the Brussels terror attacks.
"I
am shocked and concerned by the events in Brussels. We will do
everything we can to help," Cameron tweeted. "I will be
chairing a COBRA meeting on the events in Brussels later this
morning."
President
Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to King Philippe of Belgium
over the deaths of civilians in Brussels. The Russian leader
condemned the attacks, stressing that terrorism knows no borders and
threatens all people of the world.
“The
fight against this evil implies most active international
cooperation,” Putin said, adding that he was confident that the
murderers and their accomplices will be punished.
Writing
on his Facebook page, the Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev
called the terrorist attacks at the airport and the Metro in Brussels
“a barbaric crime,” as well as showing the need for a universal
fight against terrorism.
“The
attacks in Brussels are a barbaric crime against civilians. We offer
our profound condolences to the victims' families,” Medvedev wrote.
“This
incident once again underlines the need for coordinated efforts by
the international community to combat terrorism,” he added.
EU
Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini was forced to cut short a
news conference in Jordan as she broke down in tears when speaking of
the Brussels bombings.
The
Metro bombing took place very near a number of important EU buildings
such as Berlaymont building, which houses the EU Commission and the
Council of the European Union.
European
Council President Donald Tusk called the Brussels attacks “another
low by terrorists.”
“I
am appalled by the bombings this morning at Zavantem Airport and the
European district in Brussels which have cost several innocent lives
and injured many others. I extend my sincerest sympathies to the
relatives and friends of the victims. These attacks mark another low
by the terrorists in the service of hatred and violence...” he said
in a statement.
The
FBI says it has been coordinating with its Belgian colleagues
following the attacks, while Secretary of State John Kerry and
President Barack Obama have both been made aware of the incidents.
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