Latest news with #terroristthreat
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Daily Mail
Florida hit by terrorist threat against retired commanders
Retired US special forces operatives living in Florida have been warned they could be targets of a credible terrorist threat, in a chilling alert issued by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The alarming notice — which has been shared on social media — was quietly circulated to former senior military personnel who served in Iraq and Syria, and specifically cautioned those now residing in the Sunshine State. While officials declined to identify the terrorist group or country of origin behind the threat, the warning was deemed serious enough to warrant a 'duty to warn' notification. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command, told the New York Times that such notifications are not uncommon, and issued when there's credible information that retired service members could be in danger. She declined to provide additional details, citing operational sensitivity. The warnings are usually issued when there is intelligence relating to a potential threat of intentional killing, serious bodily harm, or kidnapping, and when the cost to alerting those in danger is low. The threat does not apply to active-duty special operations personnel, but they were advised to stay alert both on and off base, and to immediately report any suspicious behavior. The provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, who signed the warning, urged current troops to inform any retired comrades living in Florida of the situation and to remain vigilant. 'We encourage all personnel to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities,' says the alert. Florida is home to thousands of retired elite military personnel, many of whom settled there after serving with the Tampa-based US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Pictured: Members assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command execute a simulated rescue mission during a Special Operations Forces (SOF) demonstration in Downtown Tampa, Florida, May 18, 2022. That was the nerve center for missions against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terror networks in the Middle East. US commandos have played a key role in clandestine raids, drone strikes, and counterterror operations in Iraq and Syria for decades, often anonymously, due to fears of retaliation. The Pentagon has long acknowledged the possibility of foreign actors or jihadist networks seeking revenge against American forces — even on US soil. Andrew Sullivan, the executive director of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that supports locals who assisted America's War on Terror, said ex-service members faced 'urgent and dire' dangers. 'The terrorist threat emanating from Syria is so strong that some retired American veterans in Florida are at risk of reprisal because of their service in Syria or Iraq,' Sullivan posted on social media. The nature of this latest threat remains unclear, but the warning has raised eyebrows in security circles and renewed concerns about the long arm of extremist groups seeking payback for US military campaigns abroad. Military sources say anyone connected to past operations — whether officers, contractors, or retired advisors — should now be on high alert. For those who served in the shadows, the war may not be over.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Florida hit by 'credible' terrorist threat as retired Pentagon commanders are warned they could be 'targets'
Retired US special forces operatives living in Florida have been warned they could be targets of a credible terrorist threat, in a chilling alert issued by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The alarming notice — which has been shared on social media — was quietly circulated to former senior military personnel who served in Iraq and Syria, and specifically cautioned those now residing in the Sunshine State. While officials declined to identify the terrorist group or country of origin behind the threat, the warning was deemed serious enough to warrant a 'duty to warn' notification. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command, told the New York Times that such notifications are not uncommon, and issued when there's credible information that retired service members could be in danger. She declined to provide additional details, citing operational sensitivity. The warnings are usually issued when there is intelligence relating to a potential threat of intentional killing, serious bodily harm, or kidnapping, and when the cost to alerting those in danger is low. The threat does not apply to active-duty special operations personnel, but they were advised to stay alert both on and off base, and to immediately report any suspicious behavior. The provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, who signed the warning, urged current troops to inform any retired comrades living in Florida of the situation and to remain vigilant. 'We encourage all personnel to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities,' says the alert. Florida is home to thousands of retired elite military personnel, many of whom settled there after serving with the Tampa-based US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). That was the nerve center for missions against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terror networks in the Middle East. US commandos have played a key role in clandestine raids, drone strikes, and counterterror operations in Iraq and Syria for decades, often anonymously, due to fears of retaliation. The Pentagon has long acknowledged the possibility of foreign actors or jihadist networks seeking revenge against American forces — even on US soil. Andrew Sullivan, the executive director of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that supports locals who assisted America's War on Terror, said ex-service members faced 'urgent and dire' dangers. 'The terrorist threat emanating from Syria is so strong that some retired American veterans in Florida are at risk of reprisal because of their service in Syria or Iraq,' Sullivan posted on social media. The nature of this latest threat remains unclear, but the warning has raised eyebrows in security circles and renewed concerns about the long arm of extremist groups seeking payback for US military campaigns abroad. Military sources say anyone connected to past operations — whether officers, contractors, or retired advisors — should now be on high alert. For those who served in the shadows, the war may not be over.
Al Arabiya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Retired US Special Operations personnel warned of credible terror threat
The US military has issued a warning to retired special operations personnel about a credible terrorist threat potentially targeting those who previously served in Iraq or Syria. A memo obtained by Al Arabiya English states: 'This message is to inform you of a recent 'Duty to Warn' notification regarding a potential terrorist threat targeting retired senior officials who previously served in the Department of Defense with roles in the Syria/Iraq theater.' The threat appears to be centered on Florida, home to the US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) headquarters, but it does not directly involve active-duty personnel. 'We respectfully request that you share this information with any retired military personnel you know who are currently residing in Florida. Encourage them to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement,' the memo reads. The warning, signed by Provost Marshal Col. Mark Katz, did not specify which terrorist group may be behind the threat. However, it urged recipients to maintain a 'heightened awareness of your surroundings, secur[e] your residences, and report any unusual or concerning behavior to appropriate authorities.' While the memo, which was first reported by The New York Times, was vague, one retired Green Beret said this type of alert is not unprecedented. Special Operations forces have played a central role in the US-led fight against terrorism over the last several years, particularly in Iraq and Syria.
New York Times
4 days ago
- New York Times
Army Special Operations Warns Retired Members of Terror Threat
The U.S. Army Special Operations Command issued a warning on Thursday to some retired senior military personnel who served in Iraq or Syria that they were the target of a possible terrorist threat. The alert, circulated to those now living in Florida, neither specified what kind of threat or which terrorist group was involved, nor which country or entity provided the information. But officials deemed it credible enough to issue the warning, according to Col. Allie Scott, a spokeswoman for the command. Such warnings, called 'duty to warn notifications,' are not uncommon and are issued when military authorities receive pertinent information related to threats against service members, said Colonel Scott, who declined to provide details. U.S. Army Special Operations forces have conducted strikes against Al Qaeda and Islamic State insurgents for years in Iraq and Syria. Military officials have often declined to identify commandos involved in such operations, fearing that service members or their families could be targeted for retaliation, including in the United States. The military's overall Special Operations Command has its headquarters in Tampa, Fla. Many special operations forces, as well as other military personnel, now live in retirement in the state. The alert, a copy of which was obtained by The New York Times, said the threat did not target active-duty special operations personnel, but cautioned them 'to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities.' The warning, signed by the command's provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, encouraged active-duty service members to alert any retired special forces who live in Florida, and to warn them 'to remain vigilant.'
