Travel to Europe advised against by terror alert

A recent terrorist warning and travel caution was given on Sunday, Oct. 3 by the U.S. government. The caution is for Americans set to travel abroad. American travelers are advised to be especially cautious when traveling in Europe. Comparable advisories were given by Japan and the United Kingdom. The advisories were touched off by the recent capture of a jihadist who’s a German citizen. The German government does not believe any real threat exists.

Japan terrorist alert only transpires following U.S. alert

The government in Japan gave a terrorist warning. This was given to all citizens abroad and going abroad at the time. Those from Japan traveling to Europe were told to take caution. People going abroad on holiday or for business purposes are warned to be cautious in public places. The warning stresses being careful while using public transport and when sightseeing in popular tourist locations, based on the Christian Science Monitor. The United States State Department gave a comparable caution before the Japan terrorist alert was given. A U.K. terror alert was also issued after the announcement from Washington. The C.I.A. hasn’t released a statement yet.

German danger

The uncovering of an Al Qaeda plot for terrorist strikes in European cities began with the arrest of a German citizen, according to CNN. A jihadist group recruited Ahmed Sidiqi Algerian who left with 10 others from Pakistan in 2009. Sidiqi was captured as they fought coalition forces in Afghanistan. Sidiqi had converted to Sunni from Shia, and began attending the Taiba mosque in Hamburg. The recruiting came from there. That’s where the majority of the group came from. Mohammed Atta was known to go to the Taiba mosque. Atta was the leader in charge of the 9/11 attacks that occurred.

Just how much risk is there?

Three governments have already issued warnings of caution. This makes the threats seem more severe than before. Seems like like the German intelligence services aren’t so sure. They seem skeptical of the whole thing. The German government has assured that it is completely safe to go to either Hamburg or Stuttgart if one pleases.

Articles cited

CNN

cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/10/04/europe.terror.plot/index.html?hpt=T2

CS Monitor

csmonitor.com/World/terrorism-security/2010/1004/Japan-issues-Europe-travel-alert-joining-US