(WASHINGTON) -- Two days before July 4, the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a joint intelligence bulletin to local law enforcement around the country outlining the potential of Independence Day festivities being targeted.
These bulletins have become somewhat routine ahead of major U.S. holidays, and the bulletin issued late Tuesday begins by saying, "DHS and FBI are not aware of any specific, credible information indicating a threat from international terrorists, homegrown violent extremists (HVEs), or domestic terrorists (DTs) to the 2013 Fourth of July celebrations."
"However, we assess Fourth of July celebrations and associated events are potentially attractive terrorist targets due to the presence of large crowds, the potential ease of access at locations hosting holiday events, and the symbolic nature of the holiday," says the bulletin, obtained by ABC News.
Of course, this July 4 is the first major U.S. holiday since the Boston Marathon bombings.
The bulletin also says, "We continue to assess that operational readiness remains the driving factor behind the timing for al-Qa'ida attacks with symbolic dates a secondary consideration."
It then goes on to offer law enforcement agencies "Indicators of Pre-Operational Surveillance and Attack Planning," and to suggest a number of "protective measures" for state and local law enforcement to take.
The bulletin says, "Terrorists have demonstrated continued interest in attacking significant infrastructure, economic, military, and other symbolic targets."
The bulletin is simply titled, "2013 Fourth of July Security Awareness."
It comes just days after FBI and DHS issued a notice reminding law enforcement that fireworks could be used to build bombs, as allegedly happened with the Boston bombings.
No comments:
Post a Comment