| Oct 24, 2020 |
Threat Journal is a weekly supplement to the
AlertsUSA National Threat
and Incident Notification
Service for Mobile Devices |
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WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP
Published Each Saturday Afternoon |
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U.S. Embassy Turkey Warns of Terror Threat
ISIS Calls for Attacks |
October 24, 2020 |
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Between Oct 18-23, the following
related Flash SMS
messages were sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
10/23 - US Embassy Turkey: Credible rpts of poss terror attacks / kidnappings against AMCITS & foreign nationals in country. Caution and low profile urged. See email.
10/18 - New audio message from ISIS spokesman al-Quraishi slams recent peace accords w Israel, calls on flwrs to attack westerners & oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.
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What You Need To Know |
On eight occasions this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding safety and security matters.
Most important for this update, on Friday morning subscribers were notified of a security alert issued by the U.S. Embassy in Turkey warning that the mission has received credible reports of potential “terrorist attacks and kidnappings” against against U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in Istanbul, including against the U.S. Consulate General, as well as other locations in the country. The embassy message urges U.S. citizens to exercise heightened caution, avoid crowds and maintain a low profile, particularly in locations where Americans or foreigners may gather, such as large office buildings and shopping malls. As an additional indicator of the seriousness of the threat, the U.S. Mission in Turkey has suspended all American Citizen and visa services at the main embassy in Ankara, as well as consular offices in Istanbul, Adana, and Izmir.
Readers are reminded that on 1 February 2013, a suicide bomber attacked the U.S. embassy in Ankara, killing a security guard and wounding three others.
Other recent major terror incidents in Turkey include the January 2017 Istanbul nightclub shooting, the December 2016 Vodafone Stadium attack, the June 2016 Ataturk Airport attack in Istanbul, and the October 2015 dual ISIS suicide bombing of a peace rally outside of Ankara’s Central railway station, killing 109 people and wounding more than 500.
ISIS Calls for Attacks
There is the possibility that the security alert and responsive actions by the U.S. mission in Turkey is related to an audio message released earlier in the week by ISIS spokesman Abu Hamza al-Qurayshi. In this message, Qurayshi condemns recent normalization accords between the UAE, Bahrain and Israel, and singles out Saudi Arabia in providing support for the peace deals. Qurayshi also claims the agreements were a betrayal of Islam and called on its supporters to target westerners, as well as oil pipelines and other economic infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. As the U.S. was the driving force in brokering these deals, it is reasonable to assume American citizens are high on the target list.
These new threats fall in line with our regular weekly reminder that transnational terrorist organizations including the Islamic State and Al Qaeda continue to urge recruits and followers to adopt easy-to-use tools to target public places and events. Specific suggested tactics include the use of vehicle ramming, small arms, edged weapons, homemade explosives, and poisons or toxins. Some terrorist groups overseas are using battlefield experiences to pursue new technologies and tactics, such as unmanned aerial systems and chemical agents that could be used outside of conflict zones. Additionally, terrorists continue to target commercial aviation and air cargo, including with concealed explosives.
Caution and vigilance are urged when in public spaces, particularly with the approach of the holiday season. Our adversaries are watching and may attempt to take advantage of the current circumstances involving civil unrest, or adaptations of businesses due to the coronavirus, in order to carry out attacks.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages to their mobile devices, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.
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Coronavirus Update |
October 24, 2020 |
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As of the time of this reports' preparation on Friday, there were more than 223,947 deaths in the U.S. attributed to the virus.
AlertsUSA reminds readers that we are rapidly approaching flu season, and as such, it is well worth the effort to do all you can to maintain good health and boost your immune system, not only out of concern for your own well being, but also that of others. Yes, there are a variety of new therapeutic and treatment options available that are helping to lower the overall COVID-19 death toll, the fact remains that you don't want to get sick from it and end up in the hospital in the first place. While most people who have COVID-19 recover completely within a few weeks, some continue to experience problems long after their initial recovery. Mayo Clinic reports that imaging tests performed months after recovery on individuals who become infected with the virus, even with only mild symptoms, show lasting damage to the heart, lungs, and even the brain.
Other references dealing with the long-term impact of COVID-19 can be found here, here, here and an excellent video here.
Important COVID-19 Headlines
US on brink of rampant COVID-19 spread, Europe hospitals strained
Some hospitals in crisis as US nears high for COVID-19 cases
U.S. sets single-day record for COVID-19 cases during new surge
Europe daily coronavirus cases double in 10 days
Covid surge 'very serious' in Germany and 'out of control' in Spain
Where Europe's Second Wave Is Filling Up Hospitals
A second wave of covid-19 sends much of Europe back into lockdown
SITUATION REPORTS / OFFICIAL CASE NUMBERS
World Health Organization
Centers for Disease Control (U.S.)
Johns Hopkins CSSE (Interactive map updated multiple times daily)
OFFICIAL PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE RESOURCES
White House: Guidelines for Opening Up America Again
CDC: K-12 Schools: Readiness and Planning Tool
CDC: One-Stop Shop for COVID-19 Resources
Department of Homeland Security / Ready.Gov
World Health Organization
CDC: How to Protect Yourself
CDC: What to Do If You Are Sick
OFFICIAL CORONAVIRUS INFORMATION PAGES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Food and Drug Administration
Public Health Agency of Canada
Infection Prevention and Control Canada
World Health Organization |
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AlertsUSA.com
SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
10/22 - Officer-involved shooting of black youth in Waukegan, IL leads to widespread calls for protests. Bldgs boarding up downtown in prep for unrest. Caution urged.
10/21 - DNI/FBI warn Iran/Russia have obtained US voter reg info. Iran sending threatening & manipulative emails. Ignore. US election infrastructure remains resilient.
10/21 - FBI to hold election security press conference at the bottom of the hour. Check national media.
10/21 - Ireland becomes first EU nation to re-enter broad lockdown (5 weeks) at midnight (7:00 ET) due to surge in COVID-19 cases & hospitalizations. Others to follow.
10/19 - No tsunami risk to Hawaii. Tsunami risk to British Columbia and West Coast of the U.S. currently under evaluation. Add'l alerts as warranted.
10/19 - M7.4 EQ, Aleutian Islands, 94 km SE of Sand Point, AK. TSUNAMI WARNING, SOUTH AK and AK PENINSULA, Pacific coasts from Kennedy Entrance to Unimak Pass, AK. |
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Election Violence Looms
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October 24, 2020 |
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AlertsUSA cautions readers that multiple left-leaning groups are publicizing a wide variety of protests and disruptive actions in Washington, DC and around the nation which will begin on Election Day, November 3rd. One of the most vocal and seemingly well organized of these groups, known as Shut Down DC, states on their website that plan is to "make sure Trump leaves the White House” by any means necessary after the Nov. 3 election." The group's website presents a calendar of different events leading up to the election, including training seminars on "direct action" and "mass rebellion." A more detailed analysis can be found here.
AlertsUSA strongly encourages readers to prepare for the possibility of public protests and civil unrest across the country in the run up to and immediately following the election. It is essential that you monitor local news and factor in the possibility of commuting delays, particularly in major metropolitan areas.
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Commentary / Analysis / Research |
October 24, 2020 |
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Breaking the Ice: High Stakes in the High North
A brand-new crimson-hulled Chinese icebreaker recently concluded an expedition through the Arctic, crunching ice up to five feet thick. The ominously named Xue Long 2 (or Snow Dragon) is a recent newcomer in an increasingly crowded Arctic. Competition is heating up as fast as the ice is melting. Countries north and south of the Arctic circle believe themselves to be in a 21st century "Scramble for Africa," their sights set on natural gas, oil, and minerals to exploit.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
China Keeps Inching Closer to Taiwan
Since early September, China has been carrying out the most provocative and sustained show of force in the Taiwan Strait in nearly a quarter century. Chinese military patrols, some involving more than 30 combat aircraft and a half-dozen naval ships, have roamed the strait roughly every other day. Many of them have breached the median line between Taiwan and China, a boundary that—until last year—both sides had respected for decades.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
China Is Killing Americans with Fentanyl - Deliberately
For one thing, the Communist Party, through its cells, controls every business of any consequence.... Beijing tightly controls the banking system and knows of money transfers instantaneously.... Furthermore, fentanyl cannot leave the country undetected, as virtually all shipped items are examined before departing Chinese soil.
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
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| USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
October 24, 2020 |
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct 19, 2020 based on Navy, public data provided by the U.S. Naval Institute, and open source reporting. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.
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| World News Roundup |
October 24, 2020 |
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AMERICAS
U.S. military intelligence budget gets $23B for fiscal 2020
Sent from Gitmo to UAE, detainees fear final stop: Yemen.
Space Force activates Space Operations Command in Colorado
State Department approves $1.4B sales of missile systems to Taiwan
Pentagon's New Plan to Fight Russia & China in Gray Zone
US Urges Countries to Withdraw from UN Nuke Ban Treaty
Will Google go the way of Microsoft?
Trump pushing to declassify document disputing intel findings on Russia
Iran, Russia deny US election interference claims
China warns Canada to halt ‘blatant interference’ as feud continues
Damaged Venezuelan oil tanker poses minimal spill risk
Mexico and US reach water deal before Saturday deadline
Cuba says U.S. trade embargo cost more than $5 billion last year
EUROPE
Terror attack prevented in Moscow, FSB reports
Putin says Germany & China are emerging superpowers,
NATO building a 'space hub' to track Chinese and Russian weapons
NATO target of spending 2% of GDP on defense now the “gold standard”
Ex-CIA fuels suspicion Russia is carrying out sonic attacks on Americans
Edward Snowden is granted permanent residency in Russia
This Russian Frigate Is Armed to the Teeth with Lots of New Missiles
Mark Esper: U.S. troops leaving Germany likely to stay in Eastern Europe
Turkey Puts Missile Spat at NATO’s Door Before Meeting
Putin signals deepening ties between Moscow and Beijing
EU sanctions Russian officials over cyberattack on Germany's Bundestag
Russia will cope with sanctions imposed against it, says Putin
Human rights prize to be awarded to democratic opposition in Belarus
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Trump moves to end Sudan terror listing amid Israel ties push
Iraqi leader battles pressure from friends and foes in security crackdown
Iraq's prime minister says country on tightrope between US and Iran
Iran plans to export arms with sanctions off
US slaps new sanctions on Iran groups for election interference
Russian Navy Seen Escorting Iranian Tankers Bound for Syria
Massive war games light up Iran's skies
Bomb kills Muslim leader for Syria's capital: state media
Former PM Hariri to head new government in crisis-hit Lebanon
Israel delegation visits Sudan in push to normalise ties
Ahead of F-35 sale to UAE, Pentagon pledges to keep Israel strong
Turkey extends gas exploration in disputed Mediterranean waters
Tanzania: 300 militants crossed over from Mozambique
Nigeria: Looting, prison fire reported in Lagos
Nigeria's Buhari urges end to protests amid fresh unrest
Sudan protester killed as police clear streets: medics
Ivory Coast opposition rejects election concessions
Refusing to wear a mask in Ethiopia could cost you two years in jail
ASIA
Pakistan to remain on global terror financing ‘grey’ list
Indonesia rejected U.S. request to host spy planes
Azerbaijan continues advance deeper into Armenian-held territory
Taliban attacks increase as US moves toward total pullout from Afghanistan
White House leans on Pentagon to fulfill Trump’s Afghanistan pledge
India buzzes with fake news of 'civil war' in Pakistan
Taiwan is being pushed to modernise its military by the US
Japan's plan to build missile defence system at sea faces mounting costs
China overhauls military education, modernizing troops to be ready to fight
China tensions push India and Taiwan closer together
Kim Jong Un honors Chinese troops of the Korean War
Thailand protests: State of emergency lifted after days of rallies
Sri Lanka Parliament votes to strengthen presidential power
Kyrgyzstan delays election for reform, helping Japarov
Area burned in Indonesia fires ‘greater than the Netherlands’
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Travel Security
The U.S. Dept. of State Travel Website is the authoritative federal source for information on the security situation at travel destinations worldwide. With tensions rapidly increasing in most regions, readers planning international travel, even to such common destinations as Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean Islands, are strongly encouraged to do a little research on the security situation at your destination well prior to departure.
The Department of State’s Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) provides a variety of resources to enhance the safety and security of the U.S. private sector businesses and organizations operating abroad.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website is the authoritative federal source for information on current health issues related to specific destinations worldwide. These issues may arise from disease outbreaks, special events or gatherings, natural disasters, or other conditions that may affect travelers’ health.
Foreign Sources of Travel Guidance
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Take Advantage of These Resources
Our social media channels provide a steady steam of important news and resources between issues of Threat Journal with little or no overlap of content. Combined with the AlertsUSA service for instant mobile notification of the really bad developments, you have an unmatched set of tools to keep yourself fully up to speed on the nation's threat environment. With times getting worse by the day, we urge you to utilize these resources.
  
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