US National Counterterrorism Center warns of al-Qaeda attack threats

WASHINGTON — The US National Counterterrorism Center says that recent calls by al-Qaeda for attacks against the United States shows the terrorist group’s enduring threat to the country.

Al-Qaeda and its Yemen-based affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) “are likely seeking to leverage their media publications and global conflicts, particularly where there is US support or military involvement, to inspire potential attackers,” it says in a memo to law enforcement.

The memo urges government officials to avoid surveillance, to not post or publicly share details about travel plans, schedules and locations, and to remove badges and other forms of identification outside of work.

It also warns of potential threats to targets that draw large crowds including sport and music events and urges law enforcement presence at those events along with organizing pre-event briefings on security measures.

The NCTC, under the control of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, was created in 2004. It says information it’s sharing with law enforcement will give them tools to combat targeting attempts by al-Qaeda.