Al Qaeda Threat Leads to Closing of U.S. Embassies and Consulates

The U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Travel Alert due to a hightened threat of terrorist attacks.

Recommended safety precautions for American citizens.

1. Defer travel to Middle East and North Africa, if possible.

The Department of State alerts U.S. 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-Qa?ida 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.

2. 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. 3. Stay alert. U.S. citizens should take every precaution to be aware of their surroundings and to adopt appropriate safety measures to protect themselves when traveling. 4. Keep informed. Follow the Department of State on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook. Download the free Smart Traveler app, available through  iTunes or  Google Play, to have travel information at your fingertips.  In addition to information on the internet, travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, from other countries, on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Friday, Eastern Time (except U.S. federal holidays). The following posts normally open on Sunday will be closed on Sunday, August 4, 2013 and, possibly, longer. U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
U.S. Embassy Algiers, Algeria
U.S. Embassy Amman, Jordan
U.S. Embassy Baghdad, Iraq
U.S. Consulate Basrah, Iraq
U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt
U.S. Consulate Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
U.S. Embassy Djibouti, Djibouti
U.S. Embassy Dhaka, Bangladesh
U.S. Embassy Doha, Qatar
U.S. Consulate Dubai, United Arab Emirates
U.S. Consulate Erbil, Iraq
U.S. Consulate Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
U.S. Embassy Kabul, Afghanistan
U.S. Embassy Khartoum, Sudan
U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait
U.S. Embassy Manama, Bahrain
U.S. Embassy Muscat, Oman
U.S. Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania
U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
U.S. Embassy Sana?a, Yemen
U.S. Embassy Tripoli, Libya

Source: http://www.us-passport-service-guide.com/passport-blog.html#Al-Qaeda-Threat-Leads-to-Closing-of-US-Embassies-and-Consulates

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