| August 1, 2020 |
Threat Journal is a weekly supplement to the
AlertsUSA National Threat
and Incident Notification
Service for Mobile Devices |
|
|
WEEKLY THREAT AND ALERT ROUNDUP
Published Each Saturday Afternoon |
| |
|
ISIS Propaganda Film Urges Followers
to Attack Using Forest Fires |
August 1, 2020 |
|
|
On July 27 the following
related Flash SMS
messages was sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices: |
7/27 - Islamic State's Al Hayat Media Center releases 4 min English language video encouraging lone wolf attacks using fire and arson. More detail via email.
|
|
What You Need To Know |
On Monday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of the release of a new English language video from the Islamic State's Al Hayat Media Center encouraging lone wolf attacks using fire and arson. The tightly-produced video is entitled "Incite the Believers", which is a quote from Chapter 4, Verse 84 of the Quran stating the following:
"Then fight (O Muhammad) in the Cause of Allah, you are not tasked (held responsible) except for yourself, and incite the believers (to fight along with you), it may be that Allah will restrain the evil might of the disbelievers. And Allah is Stronger in Might and Stronger in punishing."
The narrator encourages followers who don’t have access to other types of weapons to use cigarette lighters, matches and gasoline to start fires as retribution for nearly two decades of combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“To become more convinced of this option, try looking at the fires in the lands of the crusaders every year. Fires in forests and fields, cities and villages completely destroyed, people displaced, armies of firefighters and civil defense personnel working continuous days to no avail."
The narrator also instructs terrorists to be careful to dispose of incriminating evidence.
Long time Threat Journal readers know that such a focus on arson is nothing new. In May of 2012, we reported on a similar call from Al Qaeda in the 9th issue of the their English-language magazine, Inspire, within which they gave detailed instructions on how to ignite an "ember bomb" in a U.S. forest, recommending Montana because of the rapid population growth in wooded areas.
In a May 2019 issue of the ISIS weekly newsletter, al-Naba, the group claimed responsibility for a series of wildfires in Iraq and Syria, saying the targets were “apostates” whose “hearts have long been burned” and vowed the blazes are “just the beginning.”
In November 2019, the Islamic State used a series of propaganda posters to urge followers to ignite forest fires in the US and Europe to cause ecological chaos in the wake of historic summer blazes in California and Spain.
The typical peak for wildfire season in the western U.S. falls between August and November when hot, dry winds are most frequent.
Readers are reminded that although ISIS’s territorial caliphate has been shattered, the terrorist organization still exists in a decentralized form, with affiliates and passionate followers around the globe.
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.
|
|
 |
Coronavirus Update |
August 1, 2020 |
|
As of the time of this reports' preparation on Friday, there were more than 4,562,000 COVID-19 cases reported in the U.S., as well as 153,300 deaths attributed to the virus. In addition, multiple states are reporting increasing hospitalizations and deaths as a result of the virus.
Despite the dramatic influence of politics and biased media coverage of the pandemic response, the botched effort of federal and state health authorities in testing and accurate case counting, the two-step and mixed messaging on use of masks, the highly flawed rule-making hampering the use of hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of those infected with COVID-19 and so much more, AlertsUSA encourages readers to remain conscious of the need to be cautious, not only out of concern for your own well being, but also that of others. There actually is a virus, it is still in circulation globally, it is still hospitalizing people globally, and it is still taking lives globally.
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 |
|
AlertsUSA.com
SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
7/31 - Hurricane warning issued for the E coast of FL from Boca Raton to Volusia/Brevard Co. line. Preps to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
7/31 - FL Gov declares state of emergency ahead of Hurricane Isaias for east coast counties from Miami-Dade north to GA state line. AlertsUSA monitoring..
7/30 - Tropical storm watch issued for E coast of FL from Ocean Reef to Sebastian Inlet. TS Isaias forecast to become a hurricane Friday. Heads up for GA, SC, & NC.
7/25 - Protesters shut down I-225 (North and South) in Aurora, CO. Attacks on motorists. Caution urged in area. Monitor local media.
7/25 - AlertsUSA monitoring intense clashes between BLM protesters and law enforcement in Seattle. Live streams via email. |
|
| |
|
| |
* Threat Info Direct to Your Mobile Device
* Get Away Early, Give Your Family Extra Safety.
* In Wide Use By Gov, 1st Responders, Travelers.
* 24/7/365 Monitoring. No Hype. Just the Bad Stuff.
* Issued Hours and Days before the MSM.
* On your Cell Phone, Tablet or Email.
* We Give The Clear Truth, Unlike the MSM.
* 18 Years in Operation! |
| |
We are NOT part of the government.
In fact, they are our customers! |
| |
|
|
|
 |
The Threat from Europe’s Jihadi Prisoners
and Prison Leavers
|
August 1, 2020 |
|
Two databases maintained by the authors shed light on the nature and scale of the threat posed by jihadi prisoners and prison leavers. Drawing from a database on terror activity in Europe, a new qualitative analysis of 12 alleged terrorist plots or attacks in Europe involving jihadi prisoners and prison leavers helps explain the nature of the threat, finding that both those thwarted in their attempts to participate in foreign terrorist fighting and those who returned from actually doing so were—from this limited sample—commonly involved in such attacks
(Article published by the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point)
View the Full Report Here
|
|
 |
Commentary / Analysis / Research |
August 1, 2020 |
|
China Seeds: A Biological Attack on America?
Residents in all 50 states have received packages of seeds, sent unsolicited from China. Many of the packages, mailed through the Chinese state-run postal system, were mislabeled as "jewelry" for U.S. Customs purposes.
"DO NOT plant them," officials in every state have warned.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
Waiting for the Counterrevolution
We are in the midst of a revolution, a cultural and racial one, that seeks to refute the past, damn the present, and hijack the future. So far, however, we have only heard from one side, the revolutionaries and their enablers themselves.
~ READ MORE HERE ~
How Police Can Secretly Track Your Phone
Stingrays have been used on the ground and in the air by law enforcement for years but are highly controversial because they don’t just collect data from targeted phones; they collect data from any phone in the vicinity of a device. That data can be used to identify people — protesters, for example — and track their movements during and after demonstrations, as well as to identify others who associate with them.
~ READ MORE HERE ~ |
|
 |
| |
| USNI Fleet and Marine Tracker |
August 1, 2020 |
|
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of July 27, 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.
|
|
|
| |
| World News Roundup |
August 1, 2020 |
|
AMERICAS
AG Barr Urged to Designate the CCP a ‘Transnational Criminal Organization’
Apple, Amazon, Microsoft Attended Chinese Communist Party’s AI Conference
Five Eyes alliance could expand in scope to counteract China
One Marine dead, 8 missing after amphibious vehicle accident off SoCal
Virginia Military Institute will not remove Confederate monuments, names
‘A small number’ of carrier George HW Bush sailors test positive for COVID-19
U.S. coronavirus deaths top 150,000 as economy suffers further
Ecuador navy 'on alert' as 260-strong Chinese fleet nears Galapagos Islands
AG Barr defends response to protests, Trump-tied cases
Six US mayors ask Congress to stop Trump federal deployment
US scholars charged with lying about Chinese military ties
Chile's President Pinera removes interior, foreign, defense ministers
Maduro’s hold on Venezuela tightens as coronavirus surges
Bolivian prisons erupt into riots over lack of health care after COVID-19 deaths
Top Mexican drug kingpin El Mencho reportedly builds own private hospital
EUROPE
U.S. to withdraw about 12K troops from Germany but nearly half to stay in EU
Africa Command ordered to plan HQ move as part of Germany withdrawal
In Russia’s Far East, A Stealth Fighter Factory Spins Up
In the North Atlantic, NATO practices to take on Russian submarines
Behind Russia's mysterious testing of deadly anti-satellite weapons in orbit
US-Russia launch talks in Vienna on nuclear arms control
Brexit will deliver double shock to UK economy, study finds
Europe warns Turkey against natural gas mission near Greece
Italian prime minister seeks to extend COVID-19 emergency period
Spain slams UK, Germany for advising tourists to stay away
Coronavirus: German officials 'very concerned' by rising cases
Coronavirus: Boris Johnson warns of Europe 'second wave' amid Spain row
MIDDLE EAST / AFRICA
Israel, US Sign Document on Joint Air Defence Military Cooperation
Report: North Korea tested anti-ship cruise missile in July
Iran struggles to buy food in a world wary of touching its money
Yemen conflict: Southern separatists give up on self-rule
Zimbabwe signs billion-dollar deal to repay white farmers
Iran’s Military Satellite Takes High-Resolution Images of US Base in Qatar
Lebanon: First in Middle East and North Africa to enter hyperinflation
Iran-backed militias suspected of continuing rocket attacks on Iraqi bases
Iran threatens US by targeting replica aircraft carrier in Strait of Hormuz
Netanyahu says Hezbollah ‘playing with fire
China signs series of deals to develop supergiant oilfield In Iran
Saudi Arabia gears up for downsized Hajj rituals due to Covid-19
ASIA
'Indications and warnings' from China
China’s Xi Sets His Sights on Taiwan After Subduing Hong Kong
Chinese Nuclear Advancements Stoke Pentagon Fears of New 'Peer' Threat
China cover-up fears with world’s largest dam ‘on brink of collapse
China adds turbo generators to warships to power high-energy weapons
India moving 35,000 more troops to disputed China border
U.S. Withdrawal Opens Way for Terror Alliance in Afghanistan
US puts record number of eyes in the skies off China coast in July
Afghan talks back on track as new ceasefire agreed
U.N. presses Taliban, Afghan Government for peace talks
Beijing says troops disengaged on most of China-India border
China ends extradition deals with Australia, Britain, Canada
Vietnam locks down its 3rd largest city as virus cases grow
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
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.
  
|
|
|
