The US State Department has issued a warning to Americans travelling to Europe of an increased risk of incidents of terrorism, particularly over Christmas.
A travel advisory statement on Monday read:
Credible information indicates the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL the U.S. gov’t acronym for ISIS or Da’esh), al-Qaeda, and their affiliates continue to plan terrorist attacks in Europe, with a focus on the upcoming holiday season and associated events.
The State Department urged travellers to avoid large crowds and tourist sites, and to follow the instructions of local authorities, citing previous attacks:
While extremists have carried out attacks in Belgium, France, Germany, and Turkey in the past year, the Department remains concerned about the potential for attacks throughout Europe. If you are traveling between countries in Europe, please check the website of the U.S. Embassy or consulate in your destination city for any recent security messages.
There are a number of warnings and alerts currently active on the State Department website.
For country by country advice visit the United States State Department website.
