lunes, 5 de agosto de 2013

'No new threat' as posts added to list





  • NEW: The British embassy in Yemen will be closed through much of this week

  • 19 U.S. diplomatic posts around the world will be closed through Saturday

  • A message among al Qaeda operatives was intercepted in the past several days

  • The end of Ramadan and recent prison breaks also contributed to the alert




(CNN) -- What started as an unprecedented move to close almost two dozen diplomatic posts for a day has broadened to week-long closures for most of them as the United States mulls the threat of a possible attack.


A trio of factors prompted officials to extend most of its embassy and consulate closures until Saturday: an intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives, the end of Ramadan, and concerns over several major prison breaks in the region.


Originally, officials decided to close 22 embassies and consulates this past Sunday -- a day when they would normally be open for business.


But Sunday afternoon, the State Department extended embassy and consulate closures in 15 of the locations through Saturday, and added four other posts -- all in Africa -- to the list. This brings the total to 19.


"This is not an indication of a new threat stream, merely an indication of our commitment to exercise caution and take appropriate steps to protect our employees including local employees and visitors to our facilities," the State Department said.


The statement, however, does not address why then it added four additional posts.





Intercepted message prompts U.S. closings








A recently intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives raised alarm bells that led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates Sunday, August 4, across the Middle East and North Africa. On Sunday afternoon, the State Department said it had extended the closures in 15 of the locations until Friday, August 9, and added four other posts to the list. Click through to see which facilities are affected, beginning with the U.S. embassy in Amman, Jordan.A recently intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives raised alarm bells that led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates Sunday, August 4, across the Middle East and North Africa. On Sunday afternoon, the State Department said it had extended the closures in 15 of the locations until Friday, August 9, and added four other posts to the list. Click through to see which facilities are affected, beginning with the U.S. embassy in Amman, Jordan.



The U.S. embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was closed August 4 but is scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 5.The U.S. embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was closed August 4 but is scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 5.



The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyadh will be closed through August 9 along with the consulates in Dhahran and Jeddah.The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyadh will be closed through August 9 along with the consulates in Dhahran and Jeddah.



The U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, shown here under construction in October 2007, will reopen August 5. The consulates in Basrah and Erbil, which were closed, will also reopen August 5.The U.S. embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, shown here under construction in October 2007, will reopen August 5. The consulates in Basrah and Erbil, which were closed, will also reopen August 5.



The U.S. embassy in Muscat, Oman, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. embassy in Muscat, Oman, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Tripoli, Libya, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. embassy in Tripoli, Libya, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, which was closed for one day, will reopen August 5.The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, which was closed for one day, will reopen August 5.



The U.S. embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, was one of 4 embassies added to the list of facilities to remain closed for the week. The others were the embassies in Burundi, Rwanda and Mauritius.The U.S. embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, was one of 4 embassies added to the list of facilities to remain closed for the week. The others were the embassies in Burundi, Rwanda and Mauritius.



The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Doha, Qatar, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. embassy in Doha, Qatar, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Algiers, Algeria, was closed on August 4 and will reopen on August 5.The U.S. embassy in Algiers, Algeria, was closed on August 4 and will reopen on August 5.



Officials announced they would add the U.S. embassy in Port Louis on the island of Mauritius to the list of facilities that will be closed until August 9.Officials announced they would add the U.S. embassy in Port Louis on the island of Mauritius to the list of facilities that will be closed until August 9.



The U.S embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Manama, Bahrain, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. embassy in Manama, Bahrain, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, will reopen August 5. The U.S. embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, will reopen August 5.



The U.S. embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, shown here during a demonstration on September 11, 2012, will remain closed through August 9.The U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, shown here during a demonstration on September 11, 2012, will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Djibouti will remain closed through August 9. The U.S. embassy in Djibouti will remain closed through August 9.



The U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will remain closed through August 9 along with the consulate in Dubai.The U.S. embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will remain closed through August 9 along with the consulate in Dubai.




Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings

Intercepted message triggers embassy closings






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Embassy closingsEmbassy closings










A suicide bomb goes off at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on February 1. A security guard was killed and a journalist was wounded in the attack. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, took responsibility for the bombing. An intercepted al Qaeda message led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates across the Middle East and North Africa, August 4. Take a look at other attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites around the world in recent years.A suicide bomb goes off at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on February 1. A security guard was killed and a journalist was wounded in the attack. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, took responsibility for the bombing. An intercepted al Qaeda message led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates across the Middle East and North Africa, August 4. Take a look at other attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites around the world in recent years.



Demonstrators set the U.S. Consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack.Demonstrators set the U.S. Consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack.



People flee the scene of a Taliban attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 13, 2011. Three police officers and one civilian were killed. There were no reports of U.S. casualties.People flee the scene of a Taliban attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 13, 2011. Three police officers and one civilian were killed. There were no reports of U.S. casualties.



Officials examine the aftermath of a terrorist attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 5, 2010. The coordinated attack involved a vehicle suicide bomb and attackers who tried to enter the consulate by using grenades and weapons fire. Two consulate security guards and at least six others were killed.Officials examine the aftermath of a terrorist attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 5, 2010. The coordinated attack involved a vehicle suicide bomb and attackers who tried to enter the consulate by using grenades and weapons fire. Two consulate security guards and at least six others were killed.



Yemeni soldiers carry the coffin of a comrade during a funeral on September 25, 2008, in Sanaa. Heavily armed fighters attacked the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on September 17. A car bomb was detonated, killing 10 Yemeni police and civilians and six attackers.Yemeni soldiers carry the coffin of a comrade during a funeral on September 25, 2008, in Sanaa. Heavily armed fighters attacked the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on September 17. A car bomb was detonated, killing 10 Yemeni police and civilians and six attackers.



Relatives of slain police officers are comforted during a funeral in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 10, 2008, a day after the U.S. Consulate there was attacked. Three police officers and three attackers were killed in what the American ambassador to the country called "an obvious act of terrorism" aimed at the U.S.Relatives of slain police officers are comforted during a funeral in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 10, 2008, a day after the U.S. Consulate there was attacked. Three police officers and three attackers were killed in what the American ambassador to the country called "an obvious act of terrorism" aimed at the U.S.



A bomb squad team collects evidence at a construction site where a rocket was launched near the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, on January 12, 2007. The anti-tank missile tore through the embassy, but there were no injuries.A bomb squad team collects evidence at a construction site where a rocket was launched near the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, on January 12, 2007. The anti-tank missile tore through the embassy, but there were no injuries.



A car exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on September 12, 2006. Fourteen people were wounded. Syrian authorities killed three attackers and apprehended a suspect outside the building.A car exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on September 12, 2006. Fourteen people were wounded. Syrian authorities killed three attackers and apprehended a suspect outside the building.



A U.S. diplomat and his driver were among at least four people killed on March 2, 2006, in an apparent suicide attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.A U.S. diplomat and his driver were among at least four people killed on March 2, 2006, in an apparent suicide attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.



An attack on the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killed nine people on December 7, 2004. A Saudi group linked to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack. An attack on the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killed nine people on December 7, 2004. A Saudi group linked to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.



A Pakistani police officer stands guard outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi after a gunman opened fire there on February 28, 2003. Two police officers were killed, and six others, including one civilian, were injured. A Pakistani police officer stands guard outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi after a gunman opened fire there on February 28, 2003. Two police officers were killed, and six others, including one civilian, were injured.



Family members of a victim who was killed by a bomb a day earlier embrace at a hospital in Denpasar, Bali, on October 14, 2002. A series of bombs killed more than 200 people at nightclubs while another attack occurred near the U.S. Consulate on the Indonesian tourist island. Authorities believe the attacks were coordinated.Family members of a victim who was killed by a bomb a day earlier embrace at a hospital in Denpasar, Bali, on October 14, 2002. A series of bombs killed more than 200 people at nightclubs while another attack occurred near the U.S. Consulate on the Indonesian tourist island. Authorities believe the attacks were coordinated.



A previously unknown militant group called Al-Qanoon claimed responsibility for a bombing that killed 10 people at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 14, 2002. The U.S. State Department says it suspects al Qaeda is responsible.A previously unknown militant group called Al-Qanoon claimed responsibility for a bombing that killed 10 people at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 14, 2002. The U.S. State Department says it suspects al Qaeda is responsible.



Police officers stand next to the body of a victim after a car bomb exploded on March 20, 2002, at a shopping center near the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, killing nine people.Police officers stand next to the body of a victim after a car bomb exploded on March 20, 2002, at a shopping center near the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, killing nine people.



Christopher Sandrolini, the U.S. consul general in Calcutta, speaks with Indian officials outside the U.S. government information center in Calcutta, near the U.S. Consulate, where heavily armed gunmen killed five Indian police officers on January 22, 2002.Christopher Sandrolini, the U.S. consul general in Calcutta, speaks with Indian officials outside the U.S. government information center in Calcutta, near the U.S. Consulate, where heavily armed gunmen killed five Indian police officers on January 22, 2002.



Rescue workers stand on the remains of a building in front of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 10, 1998, four days after a deadly attack. Twelve Americans were among more than 200 people killed in nearly simultaneous bombings at U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Rescue workers stand on the remains of a building in front of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 10, 1998, four days after a deadly attack. Twelve Americans were among more than 200 people killed in nearly simultaneous bombings at U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.



Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, center, walks past the damaged U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam on August 18, 1998. The August 7 attacks in Tanzania and Kenya were later attributed to al Qaeda.Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, center, walks past the damaged U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam on August 18, 1998. The August 7 attacks in Tanzania and Kenya were later attributed to al Qaeda.




Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites






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Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sitesPhotos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites






CNN Explains: The Benghazi attacks

The closures stretch across a swath of Africa and the Middle East -- as far south as Madagascar and as far east as Oman. A U.S. global travel alert is also in place.


The al Qaeda message


An intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives in the last several days raised concerns that led to the closings of embassies and consulates Sunday, CNN has learned.


CNN has agreed to a request from an Obama administration official not to publish or broadcast additional details because of the sensitivity of the information.


One area of particular concern is Yemen, where the government is "on high alert against possible attacks in the days to come," said a senior U.S. security official.


Three sources said the United States has information that members of the Yemen-based al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula are in the final stages of planning for an unspecified attack.


One of the sources said such preparations appeared to have increased in recent days.


Prison breaks


Another factor that contributed to the closures is several major prison breaks in the region.


Over the weekend, Interpol warned that al Qaeda has been tied to the prison breaks that led to the escape of hundreds of terrorists and other criminals.


-- On July 23, an al Qaeda group claimed responsibility for attacks on two Iraqi prisons that a lawmaker said freed more than 500 inmates, including some senior members of the group.


-- On July 26, about 1,200 inmates spilled out of a prison in Benghazi, Libya.


-- And on July 30, Taliban gunmen wearing police uniforms attacked the largest jail in a northern Pakistani province, allowing about 200 inmates to escape, authorities said.


Is rash of brazen prison breaks related? Interpol wants to know


End of Ramadan


A third factor prompting the closure is the end of Ramadan. Depending on when a new crescent moon is seen, the Muslim holy month could end Wednesday or Thursday.


Ramadan's end is celebrated with the Eid-al-Fitr festivities -- a three-day holiday in most Muslim countries.


The State Department, in announcing its closures, alluded to this saying "a number of our embassies and consulates were going to be closed in accordance with local custom and practice for the bulk of the week for the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan."


Britain also announced its embassy in Yemen will remain closed through the end of Eid "due to continuing security concerns," the embassy said in a statement.


Strategic reason


CNN national security analyst Francis Fragos Townsend said there could be a strategic reason for shutting down the diplomatic offices.


"Once you take targets away, it buys you additional time to try and disrupt, to identify the cell, the operators in country and the region, and work with your partners in the region to try and ... get them in custody or disrupt the plot," she said. "So, some of this operationally is about buying time."


List of closures


A total of 19 U.S. embassies and consulates will be closed Monday through Saturday.


The following 15 were part of the original list:


U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates


U.S. Embassy Amman, Jordan


U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt


U.S. Consulate Dhahran, Saudi Arabia


U.S. Embassy Djibouti, Djibouti


U.S. Embassy Doha, Qatar


U.S. Consulate Dubai, United Arab Emirates


U.S. Consulate Jeddah, Saudi Arabia


U.S. Embassy Khartoum, Sudan


U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait


U.S. Embassy Manama, Bahrain


U.S. Embassy Muscat, Oman


U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia


U.S. Embassy Sanaa, Yemen


U.S. Embassy Tripoli, Libya


The following four embassies have been added:


U.S. Embassy Antananarivo, Madagascar


U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, Burundi


U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda


U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius


CNN's Jill Dougherty, Dana Bash, Hamdi Alkhshali, Tom Cohen, Evan Perez, Gloria Borger, Jim Acosta, Elise Labott, Mohammed Jamjoon, NuNu Japaridze, Bharati Naik, Karen Smith and Hakim Almasmari contributed to this report.







via CNN.com - Top Stories http://rss.cnn.com/~r/rss/cnn_topstories/~3/aidVbFB5kLo/index.html

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