American military bases and personnel across Europe are on heightened alert, after new intelligence warned of a possible terrorist attack, Voice of America writes.
A U.S. defense official confirmed to Voice of America on Monday that measures at military facilities across the U.S. European Command (EUCOM) have been raised to a "Charlie" level of protection, meaning an attack is possible.
The official did not elaborate on the intelligence, although counterterrorism officials from several countries have warned of an increased threat, some of which is related to the upcoming Summer Olympics in Paris.
EUCOM's announcement states that the increased security measures are the result of a combination of factors.
"The increase in alertness is not linked to any specific threat, but is the result of a combination of factors such as ongoing and upcoming large public gatherings, such as the Eurocup and the Olympic Games, with the increasing threat of attacks on non-military targets in Europe," it said. announcement.
EUCOM advises staff in European cities to be constantly vigilant, report suspicious activity, follow State Department travel announcements and not put themselves at risk.
A defense official said the military is taking extra steps to ensure U.S. forces are alert during work activities as well as off-duty time.
A report last month by cybersecurity firm Recorded Future warned that despite the high risk of cyberattacks, the biggest threat to the Paris Olympics remains the possibility of terrorist attacks.
French authorities have already uncovered at least two separate terrorist plots. In one of the cases, an 18-year-old person was accused of planning an attack on behalf of the so-called "Islamic State" against one of the stadiums that serves as an Olympic field.
Top US counterterrorism officials have also acknowledged that the Islamic State group, known as ISIS, has been gaining ground in recent months.
The biggest concern, as the Voice of America writes, is the Afghan branch of the group, known as IS-Korasan.
IS-Khorasan claimed responsibility for an attack on a commemoration in Kerman, Iran, in January that killed around 90 people, as well as an attack on a Moscow concert hall that killed more than 140 people.
US counterterrorism officials have also expressed concern that IS-Khorasan has become more adept at using transnational criminal networks and human-smuggling rings, as well as sending its operatives to the US.
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