US issues national terrorism alert, warning extremists may strike as coronavirus restrictions ease
- Concern over the domestic extremists has to a certain degree eclipsed the focus on foreign terrorist organisations such as al-Qaida and Islamic State
- The alert says adversaries such as Russia, China and Iran are amplifying conspiracy theories about the origins of Covid-19
A national terrorism alert issued on Friday warns that violent extremists may take advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions to conduct attacks.
The alert does not cite any specific threats. But it warns of potential danger from an increasingly complex and volatile mix that includes domestic terrorists inspired by various grievances, racial or ethnic hatred and influences from abroad.
Those threats were exacerbated by Covid-19, which spawned conspiracy theories and deepened anger at the government in some quarters over the shutdown of the economy. As virus conditions improve, the alert says new dangers loom.
“Violent extremists may seek to exploit the easing of Covid-19-related restrictions across the United States to conduct attacks against a broader range of targets after previous public capacity limits reduced opportunities for lethal attacks,” the bulletin said.
Without naming any specific potential targets, it notes that, historically, extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred have targeted religious institutions and crowded businesses or gatherings.
The National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is an extension of one issued earlier this year in the wake of the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. That alert was expected to expire on Saturday.
