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'Lone-wolf' terror attack in US ahead of July 4 celebrations? FBI raises alarm, issues dire alert
Local and federal authorities are likely preparing for potential threats during Fourth of July celebrations next weekend amid the growing tensions between the United States and Middle East. Attacks perpetrated by lone actors are the biggest terrorism threat to July 4th festivities in New York City and elsewhere, reported CNN, citing federal authorities. Tensions escalated on June 22, when the US Military bombed three key nuclear sites in Iran, according to Trump administration officials.
America is all set to celebrate its Independence Day on July 4. Ahead of
July 4 celebrations
, alerts have been issued by federal authorities over lone actors perpetrating attacks in New York and other places which has become the biggest terrorist threat to July 4 festivities.
Americans warned ahead of July 4 celebrations
The FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies issued a joint bulletin in June saying 'the most significant terrorism threat facing the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks stems from lone offenders and small groups of individuals seeking to commit acts of violence.'
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'These individuals are often motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal, or personal grievances,' the threat assessment continued.
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The threat is not just limited around New York, but other large gatherings could also be targeted. The threat assessment added 'These individuals are often motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal, or personal grievances.'
'Special events with high attendance and media coverage … remain attractive targets' for domestic and foreign terrorists and violent extremists who may want to 'cause mass casualties or draw attention to their causes,' the bulletin said.
The agencies said they had not received any reports of specific threats at the massive fireworks show or related events. However, 'high-profile, large events can draw interest from malicious actors looking for targets of opportunity to perpetrate criminal schemes,' the bulletin said.
Law enforcement agencies had issued a similar warning during New Year's celebration when a driver intentionally rammed his truck into a crowd of revelers on January 1 in New Orleans' French quarter, killing 14 people. The suspect, a US army veteran who had served in Afghanistan, was killed by authorities in a shootout.
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US-Mid east tensions
'Due to the Iran conflict, the Department of Homeland Security has a National Threat Advisory System, and as of June 22, we are at a heightened threat environment,' Michael Verden, founder and CEO of security firm The Lake Forest Group, told Fox News Digital.
'That level will stay in place until September 22, and it could be extended based on the conflict in Iran.' Verden, a former USSS agent and law enforcement officer, added that certain 4th of July activities and travel will see increased security and precautionary measures 'because of this heightened threat environment.'
DHS said in a June 22 bulletin that 'Iran also has a long-standing commitment to target US Government officials it views as responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander killed in January 2020.'
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'The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilizing to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland,' DHS said.
'Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US-based individuals plotting additional attacks.'
Tensions over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza have been linked to a spate of recent violence in the United States, and authorities say similar attacks could erupt on July 4. 'Most attackers motivated at least in part by the Israel-HAMAS conflict have selected targets with a symbolic link to Israel, houses of worship, or locations associated with houses of worship. Individuals with grievances linked to the conflict could also perceive large gatherings, such as Independence Day celebrations, as opportunistic targets symbolic of the West in general,' the threat assessment said.
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The DHS and FBI cited last month's firebomb attack in Boulder, Colorado, that targeted a group of demonstrators supporting Israelis who were held hostage by Hamas. Ahead of the 4th of July celebrations, authorities are also keeping an eye on the skies. The report flags the potential misuse of drones to disrupt or target large gatherings.
"Although we have no credible, specific reporting regarding illicit plans to use UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) to target the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks," it says, "unauthorised UAS operations have the potential to increase public safety risks."
