Over the last week AlertsUSA subscribers have been notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding a number of extraordinary security developments around the world. More than half of the alerts were related to the barbaric surprise attack on Israel by Hamas.
US Embassies throughout the Middle East are warning American citizens via a Regional Security Alert to "take caution," maintain a low profile, to avoid large crowds and demonstrations, and to increase their security awareness.
As an example of how easily the violence can spread in this region, last Sunday (one day after the start of the Hamas attack), AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of security alert from US Embassy in Egypt urging caution in-country following an attack on a tourist bus in Alexandria which left multiple dead and injured. The suspect in this shooting was a Egyptian police officer.
Secretary of State Blinken is in the region visiting his counterparts in multiple nations with the primary goal of trying to keep the conflict from spreading as Israeli combat operations intensify. During a Thursday press conference in Israel, Blinken announced that at least 25 Americans were confirmed killed in the Hamas attacks. That number was increased to 27 on Friday.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby has stated there are an additional 17 Americans were unaccounted for and that a handful are possibly being held as hostages by Hamas.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Israel on Friday for meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and defense officials. His public comments alongside Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant make absolutely clear the standing and intent of the U.S. regarding this conflict:
"The world has just witnessed a great evil: the deadliest attack on civilians in the history of the state of Israel and the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust. So, make no mistake: The United States will make sure that Israel has what it needs to defend itself."
During meetings with Netanyahu and members of the Israeli War Cabinet, Austin conveyed the United States' "ironclad" support for Israel and commitment to deterring further escalation.
The Pentagon has bolstered the U.S. presence in the region, including movement of the USS Gerald R. Ford Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as deployment of multiple squadrons of A-10s, F-15 Eagles, F-16 Fighting Falcons in a bid to deter Iran and other groups that oppose Israel from entering the conflict.
Evacuating Americans
The Federal Aviation Administration has issued a NOTAM urging U.S. airlines and pilots to use "extreme caution" when flying at any altitude in Israeli airspace. Following multiple instances of rockets being fired from Gaza towards Tel Aviv and Ben Gurion Airport, all US carriers have suspended flights to and thru Israel. United flights are suspended indefinitely, American Airlines flights are canceled thru December, and Delta flights until at least the end of this month. A multitude of other carriers from around the world are doing the same.
As a result, dozens of nations have been flying in military aircraft and charter flights in order to repatriate their citizens, or at least get them out of the region. including the U.S.
On Thursday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified that the State Dept was making arrangements to facilitate the departure of Americans via air, land, and sea, and if you were still in Israel, it was time to get registered. On Friday, the first State Dept. charter flight of Americans landed in Athens, Greece.
On Saturday, the State Dept authorized the departure of non-emergency embassy staff and their families due to the precarious security situation.
Call for Global Day of Rage
AlertsUSA subscribers were notified on Friday that US government facilities worldwide are at a heightened state of alert following a call for Muslims to hold a global "day of rage" on 10/13 in support of the Palestinians. The call was made by former Hamas leader Khaled Meshal, who is also urging Arabs in neighboring countries to join "the battle" against Israel.
France Increases Threat Posture
On Thursday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified that the French government had raised their terrorism threat level, or what they refer to as their "national counter-terrorism posture" to it's highest level following a multi-victim stabbing incident in the northern city of Arras. France's Interior Minister said there was "no doubt" a link existed between the Arras attack and the Israel-Hamas conflict.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment around the clock and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages and email, of new alerts, warnings and advisories, or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens. |
