The world threat alert will expire on Aug. 31. Al-Qaeda threat triggers travel alert

The State Department issued a worldwide travel alert on Friday for U.S citizens due to an unspecified Al Qaeda threat.

“The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the continued potential for terrorist attacks, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, and possibly occurring in or emanating from the Arabian Peninsula,” the State Department said. “Current information suggests that Al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks both in the region and beyond, and that they may focus efforts to conduct attacks in the period between now and the end of August.”


The world threat alert will expire on Aug. 31.

( See also: List of U.S. diplomatic posts closed after threat)

A State Department spokeswoman said on Thursday that some embassies and consulates around the world would close Sunday as a “precautionary measure, but did not specify how many would be closed, or where.

“The department has been apprised of information that, out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations, indicates we should institute these precautionary steps,” spokeswoman Marie Harf said. And some embassies and consulates could be closed for more than a day, she added, based on the department’s analysis.

The State Department issued a major threat alert last year, warning of possible violence tied to the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.