U.S. Counterterrorism Center Warns of Enduring al-Qaeda Threat, Urges Heightened Security

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff

WASHINGTON (Worthy News) – The U.S. National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) warned Friday that recent calls by al-Qaeda for attacks against the United States highlight the group’s ongoing threat more than two decades after 9/11.

In a memo circulated to law enforcement, the NCTC said al-Qaeda and its Yemen-based affiliate, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), “are likely seeking to leverage their media publications and global conflicts, particularly where there is U.S. support or military involvement, to inspire potential attackers.”

The memo urged government officials to avoid unnecessary exposure by not posting or publicly sharing details about travel plans, schedules, or locations, and to remove work badges or other identifying items outside of official settings.

Authorities also warned of potential threats against high-profile targets that draw large crowds, including sporting events and concerts. The document recommended visible law enforcement presence at such gatherings and called for pre-event security briefings.

The warning comes as U.S. officials continue to monitor al-Qaeda’s activities worldwide. The terrorist group was designated a “foreign terrorist organization” after orchestrating the September 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in New York and Washington.

A Department of Homeland Security report released late last year noted that al-Qaeda had “reinvigorated its outreach” to Western audiences and remained committed to striking the United States.

The NCTC, established in 2004 under the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, said its latest guidance aims to equip law enforcement agencies with the tools needed to deter and respond to potential targeting attempts.

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