U.S. officials announced May 20 the country is under a code orange alert (high threat), due in part to recent terrorist attacks in Saudi Arabia indicating al-Qaida remains active and could launch new attacks in the United States.
The previous threat level, yellow, marked an elevated risk.
Department of Homeland Security officials initially provided few specific reasons for the alert, which will set in motion a series of security measures around the federal government. It also advises cities, states and businesses to take extra security measures.
The alert was raised after top administration and counterterrorism officials reviewed intelligence reports suggesting domestic terrorist attacks were possible.
Al-Qaida also could hit U.S. and Western targets overseas, the bureau said in an advisory to state and local law enforcement agencies.
The bulletin says the Saudi attacks featured “traditional hallmarks of al-Qaida operations” such as precise planning, surveillance and coordination among several teams. Each bombing involved a sedan followed by a truck or sport utility vehicle laden with explosives, with gunmen used to attack guards and overcome security measures.
These tactics show al-Qaida has “a highly refined approach to suicide bombings” that shows an increased capability when compared with, for example, the 1998 truck bombings of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania.
The U.S. intelligence community “assesses that attacks against U.S. and Western targets overseas are likely; attacks in the United States cannot be ruled out,” said the FBI bulletin, which was described to The Associated Press May 20 by federal law enforcement officials on condition of anonymity.
The bombings of Western residential compounds in Riyadh, the Saudi capital, show al-Qaida “remains active and highly capable,” the FBI bulletin said.
Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer, asked about this May 20, said “chatter” picked up by U.S. agencies suggested new attacks were possible.
“We've seen this before, and we want to do everything we can to be vigilant,” Fleischer said on NBC's “Today” program.
