From AlertsUSA
Two Americans Killed in Vehicle Ramming and Knife Attack
Aug 4, 2018
On July 30, the following related Flash SMS messages were sent to AlertsUSA subscriber mobile devices:
7/30 – Four foreign cyclists, incl two Americans, killed late 7/29 in deliberate vehicle ramming and knife attack in Danghara, Tajikistan. 3 other persons injured.
7/30 – Islamic State claims responsibility for vehicle ramming & knife attack in Tajikistan’s Danghara district that killed four foreign cyclists, incl two Americans.
What You Need To Know
On 10 occasions this week AlertsUSA subscribers were notified via SMS messages to their mobile devices regarding safety and security matters.
Most important for this update:
Beginning Monday, AlertsUSA subscribers were informed of a vehicular attack which claimed the lives of four cyclists, including two Americans. In this incident, a group of seven cyclists touring the Central Asian nation of Tajikistan were mowed down by an automobile in the Danghara district of the country, approximately 100 miles south of the capital, Dushanbe. Multiple assailants then got out of the car and attacked the victims with knives (watch a video of the attack here).
The Tajik interior ministry said police pursued and killed four of the attackers, with a fifth being captured and multiple others believed involved in the planning taken into custody.
Less than a day later, the Islamic State’s Amaq news agency issued a formal claim of responsibility for the attack, saying that a unit of Islamic State soldiers killed four Crusaders, injured four others, and that the next attacks will be more “devastating and bitter.”
A video has also been released showing the five attackers joining hands and pledging allegiance to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the terrorist group’s leader (stillframe shown above). The footage was published after police in the Central Asian state accused a banned opposition party of organising the attack. The release of the video suggests that the attackers had, at a minimum, a digital connection to the Islamic State, allowing them to send the video footage to the group prior the attack.
According to the US Embassy in Tajikistan, the assailants “hit seven foreign cyclists with their vehicle, exited the car, and stabbed the cyclists with knives.” Four people, including two Americans, were killed. The other two victims have been identified as Swiss and Dutch nationals.
AlertsUSA Threat Journal subscribers have previously been warned that vehicle rammings followed by knife attacks is a tactic widely promoted by the Islamic State in online propaganda and guides. Past examples of the tactic being employed include a Nov. 2016 incident at Ohio State University, the Mar. 2017 attack near British parliament, and the June 2017 London Bridge attack.
Continued Vigilance Urged
Readers are cautioned that despite the recent lull in the tempo of terrorist attacks within the U.S., this is by no means a sign that the threat is abating. In fact, the opposite is true. According to the House Homeland Security Committee’s monthly report of terrorism in America (PDF LINK), jihadist threats from homegrown terrorists continue to increase each month, with at least nine foreign born individuals living in the United States arrested or convicted in June of attempting to launch attacks on behalf of ISIS and other global terrorist organizations.
The committee’s monthly report highlights the federal government’s difficulty in thwarting terror plots across America. Domestic terror threats in the United States also have grown due to an even greater number of Western jihadists operating in Europe, where it is much easier to travel freely into the United States.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the domestic and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers, via SMS messages, of new alerts, warnings and advisories or any developments which signal a change the overall threat picture for American citizens as events warrant.
OTHER SMS ALERTS FROM THIS WEEK
NOT DETAILED IN THIS NEWSLETTER ISSUE
7/29 – 3 dead, at least 7 injured in New Orleans mass shooting. Heavy police presence around 3400 block of Claiborne Avenue. Avoid the area. AlertsUSA monitoring..
7/31 – Aeromexico flight #AM2431 has crashed near Guadalupe Victoria Durango Intl. Airport in Mexico. ~80
lives onboard. More details to follow.
7/31 – Mexican Sec of Communications and Transport states 97 passengers and four crew members were on board Aeromexico #AM2431. Plane crashed shortly after takeoff.
7/31 – In light of the earlier AeroMexico crash, the State Dept is urging US citizens in MX to contact loved ones to let them know of their welfare & whereabouts.
8/2 – AlertsUSA monitoring response to suspicious vehicle incident near White House. North Fence along Penn Ave and Lafayette Park are closed. EOD units on scene.
8/2 – Active shooter report, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (OH), Bldg 830. Base on lockdown. Add’l details as warranted.
8/2 – Large police presence in/around Wright-Patterson AFB. Situation ongoing. Initial reports indicate armed individual contained on 4th floor of base hospital.
8/2 – “All Clear” message issued for Wright-Patterson active shooter incident.
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Commentary / Analysis / Research
Aug 4, 2018
Downloadable Guns and Other 3-D Printing Security Threats
The growing opposition to 3D-printed guns shows that potential security threats do not have to be inevitable. The security challenges inherent in 3D printing could be addressed, while the development of industry norms can still be shaped. Read More Here
A Global Approach to Rooting Out Terrorism
“Terrorism is a global problem, and it requires a global response,” said Special Agent Rick Hernandez, who provides counterterrorism training to the FBI’s international partners. The Bureau’s highest priority is to prevent terror attacks in the United States, Hernandez noted. “But if we can prevent an act of terrorism anywhere in the world, it helps keep America safe and it helps keep our partners safe.” Read More Here
Regime Change in Iran: Watch What You Ask For
Mike Pompeo’s speech in May signaled a desire for regime change in Iran, but the U.S. will have to change its approach to shape a positive outcome. This could involve targeting sanctions more narrowly rather than seeking to impoverish the general population. And lifting the ban on Iranian visitors to the U.S. would be a good start. Read More Here
Should the DoD be Planning for an Occupation of Iran,
Even Though It’s a Nightmare Scenario?
If President Donald Trump’s most recent tweets about Iran are any indication, a military confrontation with Iran is not off the table. And yet, there is almost certainly little consensus, even within the administration, about the wisdom of such a course of action. Mark Perry’s recent Foreign Policy article about Defense Secretary James Mattis’s efforts to avert war with Iran notes Mattis harbors no illusions regarding Iranian threats, but that he is also keenly aware any military strike would have broad and negative repercussions for the United States. One such repercussion is how an Iranian conflict might lead to regime change, possibly forcing the United States into another occupation in the region. Read More Here
World News Roundup
Aug 4, 2018
Other Developments We Are Following
AMERICAS
Senate outlines fed efforts to avert financial chaos from potential bio attack
GOP Intelligence Senator: Russia Trying ‘to Bring Down Our Entire System’
Mexico’s Murder Rate Hits Highest Level in Decades
TSA dismisses report it is ending passanger screening at smaller airports
Can Canadian border agents search your phone or laptop?
WTC developer loses final 9/11 lawsuit against insurer
Decisions near for man charged with helping Syria radicals
Reddit warns system users of data breach
Militia leader accused of Minn. mosque bombing took orders from ‘higher-ups’
DoD to face increased operational restrictions under defense authorization bill
Venezuela’s president admits economy has failed
Judge tosses terror convictions after high court ruling
Cyber Command wants to partner with private sector to stop hacks
New Crypto-Mining malware exploits multiple CVEs for maximum impact
Mexico extradites accused gunman in ‘Fast and Furious’ case
DOJ questions AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson on wartime business in Iraq
Trial for Montreal man accused of Flint stabbing postponed
EUROPE
Suspected Russian spy found working at US embassy in Moscow
In Soviet echo, Putin gives Russian army a political wing
U.S. Military Sites in Europe Are Dependent on Russia for Electricity
Russia has data on possible military plans by US, other countries, says Lavrov
Watch Russian Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile Destroy Mock Enemy Vessel
UK Police release statement re ongoing investigation into Amesbury incident
Terrorist expelled by SRI from Romania
Fileless malware PowerGhost targets corporate systems
Sheffield man admits terrorism offences
Ecuador, Britain in talks over Assange fate: Ecuadorian president
MIDDLE EAST / Africa
Israel warns Iran of military response if it closed key Red Sea strait
Israel halts fuel shipments to Gaza citing continued fire balloon launches
Turkish court rejects U.S. pastor’s appeal
U.S. imposes sanctions on Turkish officials over pastor’s detention
Iran rejects Trump offer of talks as ‘humiliation’, without value
Somalia: ISIL members sentenced to 15 years in prison
Tunisia: No Intention to Deport Bin Laden’s Bodyguard to Germany
1 killed, 90 wounded by Israel in Hamas-led Gaza protests
UK man arrested on suspicion of terrorism offence
Yemeni political settlement talks to return to Geneva in Sept
Armed raid on Tunisian bank treated as terrorism-related – official
Attack on convoy kills 4 soldiers in Mali’s central region
Syria rebels announce new coalition in Idlib
Exposing Al-Shabaab’s Leadership Structure and Precept Ideology
Algerian Army Confirms Slaying 4 ‘Terrorists’ in Search Operations
Egyptian forces kill five suspected militants north of Cairo: ministry
ASIA
Chinese theft continues in cyberspace as new threats emerge, U.S. warn
U.S. spy agencies: North Korea is working on new missiles
U.S. welcomes home remains of presumed war dead from North Korea
AI, immune to fear or favour, is helping to make China’s foreign policy
My son, Osama: the al-Qaida leader’s mother speaks for the first time
Bin Laden ‘deliberately’ wanted to tarnish Saudi-US relations
221 alleged terrorists nabbed, 21 shot dead weeks before Asian Games
‘I attempted murder’ on behalf of ISIS, student Momena Shoma tells police
Survivor of Basilan blast convinced of foreign identity of van driver
Philippines nabs cleric over bomb claimed by Islamic State
U.S. freezes assets of Pakistanis linked to militant group
Taliban’s Red Unit commander and his 5 guards killed in drone strikes
Homeland Security
Since 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has used the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin to highlight the continuing terror threat to the U.S. Homeland.
CURRENTLY ACTIVE NTAS BULLETIN
PDF (1 pg, 186 KB)
Web Version
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.
Active USGOV Travel Notices
Active USGOV Travel Advisories
Other USGOV Travel Resources
Smart Traveler Enrollment Prog (STEP)
Travelers with Special Considerations
Faith-Based Travel Information
Information for Women Travelers
Driving and Road Safety Abroad
Safe Travels During Storm Season
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.
Mariners and U.S. citizens considering maritime travel should also review information at the websites of the National Geospatial Agency, the Maritime Security Communications with Industry Portal, and the U.S. Coast Guard for information related to maritime and port security globally.
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
Australia Dept. of Foreign Affairs
UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
Start now to make sure you are staying prepared.
Via: threatjournal
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