Travel Advisory
A global travel alert has been issued by the U.S. Department of State following the lone wolf attack in Sydney, Australia, on 15 December 2014. The warning expires on 19 March 2015.
The United States Department of State has warned American citizens that they “should be should be extra cautious, maintain a very high level of vigilance, and take appropriate steps to enhance their personal security” following the lone wolf attack in Sydney, Australia, on 15 December in which 17 people were taken hostage, with 2 of the hostages dying.
The focus of an attack by terrorists could include not only U.S. government facilities but also hotels, places of worship, and shopping districts.
The Australian government issued a detailed advisory that warned of a worldwide terrorist threat on 11 December 2014, just 4 days before the hostage crisis in Sydney took place.
“In late 2014, terrorists called for attacks against Australian interests and those of other countries including the United States, United Kingdom, France and Germany, in social media, publications and other public messages,” the travel advice says.
“Terrorists have called for attacks on civilians, as well as the interests of military, police and security services. This represents a continuation of threats by extremist groups aimed at encouraging attacks in western countries. These calls are intended to motivate sympathisers to attack Western interests, often in unsophisticated but lethal ways.”.
Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office had issued a travel advisory on 31 October warning of a ‘heightened’ threat of terrorism throughout the world.
“There is considered to be a heightened threat of terrorist attack globally against UK interests and British nationals from groups or individuals motivated by the conflict in Iraq and Syria,” the travel advice says, adding that British nationals should remain vigilant at this time”.