US alerts its citizens around the world to possible attacks following the death of Al Qaeda leader

The U.S. Government issues an alert to its citizens abroad against possible attacks by Al Qaeda in revenge for the death of the terrorist organization’s leader, Ayman al Zawahiri, in a bombing executed over the weekend in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul.

“Following al-Zawahiri’s death, followers of al-Qaeda or its affiliated terrorist organizations could seek to attack U.S. facilities, personnel, or citizens,” the State Department has said in a statement on its website.

“Given that terrorist attacks often take place without warning, U.S. citizens are strongly advised to maintain a high level of vigilance and be aware of their status when traveling abroad,” it said.

In this regard, he has argued that he believes “there is an increased potential for violence against Americans given the death of Al Zawahiri on July 31, 2022.”

“Current information suggests that terrorist organizations continue to plan attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions of the globe. These attacks could employ a wide variety of tactics, including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, abductions and bombings,” he assessed.

Finally, he emphasized that “the State Department remains concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other actions against U.S. citizens and interests abroad.”

The death of Al Zawahiri, leader of Al Qaeda since 2011, was announced on Monday by US President Joe Biden, who has stressed that the man was ‘number two’ of the former leader of the organization Usama bin Laden and “was deeply involved in organizing” the attacks of September 11, 2011, in which nearly 3,000 people were killed.

Hours later, U.S. National Security Council strategic communications coordinator John Kirby said the bombing “demonstrates” Washington’s commitment to preventing Afghanistan from being “a safe place for terrorists.”

He thus stressed that Al Zawahiri “was the most wanted terrorist in the world” and confirmed that Washington “has been in very direct contact with Taliban leaders” to address the fact that Al Zawahiri was residing in Kabul. “We have made it clear that we don’t believe, we don’t think and we don’t assume. We know this is a violation of the Doha Agreement,” he concluded.