US issues global travel alert after bin Laden's death (& warning Americans abroad of reprisals)

[Turborama]

Source: AFP

WASHINGTON—The US State Department on Sunday issued a global travel alert to all US citizens following the death of Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden saying there could be an outbreak of anti-American violence.

"The US Department of State alerts US citizens traveling and residing abroad to the enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counter-terrorism activity in Pakistan," it said in a statement.

"Given the uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, US citizens in areas where recent events could cause anti-American violence are strongly urged to limit their travel outside of their homes and hotels and avoid mass gatherings and demonstrations."

It added that the warning would remain in effect until August 1.

Read more: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/world/view/20110502-334180/US-issues-global-travel-alert-after-bin-Ladens-death

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US warns of al-Qaida reprisals over bin Laden
(AP) – 17 minutes ago

WASHINGTON — The State Department is putting U.S. embassies on alert and is warning Americans abroad of possible reprisal attacks from al-Qaida and its affiliates around the world after the killing of the group's leader Osama bin Laden by American forces in Pakistan.

In a worldwide travel alert released shortly after President Barack Obama late Sunday announced bin Laden's death in a military operation, the department said there was an "enhanced potential for anti-American violence given recent counterterrorism activity in Pakistan." It said Americans living or traveling abroad, particularly in areas that have been hit by anti-American violence in the past should limit travel outside their homes and avoid large gatherings.

The alert said U.S. embassy operations would continue "to the extent possible under the constraints of any evolving security situation."

From: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j2j8_49gAIKV5pn-HBQrxQKHAWKg?docId=7c4ef249aabb469baee338069ffa2da4

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. yeah

Tough times to come. :(

[Warpy]

2. Oh, I think most people around the world are deeply grateful he's gone

but I don't think I'd like to travel outside the big cities in Pakistan right now. His mortality rate on the Pakistani people was tremendous, but he still had support, especially within the government.

[Turborama]

3. I live in a Muslim majority country & even though it's obviously good news now...

....there is bound to be bad news to follow.

Mixed emotions here.

[Warpy]

8. It all depends on whether any of his sons are equivalent sociopaths

and how much of his organization he delegated to others by the time he died. My best guess at this point is that because it was always rather decentralized, it will remain so and become more so, with all sorts of national groups acting independently (and we've seen the quality of the attacks decline since the heydays of 1992-2005 or so)

In the meantime, even hamfisted operations can be lethal and we'll all have to be on our toes, although in my part of the US the chance is extremely remote.

[Suji to Seoul]

4. I'm in China. I expect it too.

They will probably target Americans overseas. I plan on being a little more vigilant now for the short term.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. I posted that the thraet of attack went up

but of course I am just an alarmist tweet!

:-)

Knowing the world, this is just the way it is. It's part of the revenge cycle.

Security will increase all over, and most of it will be where most of us cannot see it, or should not see it.

[clyrc]

6. Living in the UAE

I'm not very scared, but I do wonder what will happen now.

[2Design]

7. yeah safer now BS - how many new #1 enemies have we made in 10 years - killing begats killing n/t