The United States embassy in South Africa on Tuesday, September
8 issued a rare 'terrorist threat' warning to US interests in the
country, and advised its citizens to be on heightened alert against
attack, AFP reports. The security message issued by the embassy
in Pretoria said there was no information on the possible timing or
target in South Africa.
Extremists may be targeting US interests in South Africa, to
possibly include US Government facilities and other
facilities identifiable with US business interests," the
embassy statement said.
Remain aware and vigilant of your surroundings. Be vigilant
and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal
security."
A spokesman for the South African ministry of state security told
AFP that the government was aware of the US announcement, but
that it had no immediate comment.
The embassy issued a general security alert last week ahead of the
September 11 attacks anniversary, but the warning on Tuesday
appeared to signal a new level of concern. Security analyst Ryan
Cummings said the US had last issued a "terror threat" in South
Africa in 2009.
The embassy was unable to confirm the date. "One would not
immediately associate South Africa with Islamic extremism, which
is the driver of international terrorism against US interests," said
Cummings, a Cape Town-based analyst at Red 24, a risk
management firm.
"We haven't had an extensive history of transnational terrorists
targeting US interests (but) there has been evidence that South
Africa serves as some form of a gateway or potential logistics and
financial hub. "The fact that this warning speaks specifically to
South Africa means the perceived threat is specifically within our
borders."
Source -AFP
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