The November 13 terrorist attacks in Paris has intelligence agencies around the world on high alert. With New Year’s Eve fast approaching, there are fears that terrorists might use the opportunity to strike again.
In the United States, both local and federal security officials are tightening the security at high profile locations they believe terrorists could target.
Some of the locations with heightened security this year include New York’s Times Square and the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.
According to CNN, President Obama was briefed about a threat of possible attacks in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and New York before leaving for his vacation in Hawaii.
Security officials said the threat was received from a single source and was uncorroborated. The source didn’t provide officials with specific locations in the cities mentioned. But the officials said they were concerned about soft targets like mass transit systems and large gatherings.
New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said there will be about 6,000 officers around Times Square on New Year’s Eve, and the FBI is increasing the amount of agents in command centers around the country.
In Brussels, some New Year’s Eve activities like fireworks have been cancelled due to a terror alert.
The events were cancelled a day after two people were arrested on suspicion of being involved in a plot to attack “emblematic sites” in the Belgian capital during New Year’s celebrations.
According to CNN, the men were members of a Muslim biker gang called the Kamikaze Riders, and they are suspected to have discussed attacking Grand Place Square and other places with large crowds in Brussels.
On Wednesday, police in Turkey said they stopped a potential New Year’s Eve attack by suspected ISIS militants in Ankara.
The Atlantic reported that the police arrested two men who are suspected of planning suicide attacks in the Turkish capital on New Year’s Eve.
The men were arrested in a raid on a house in Ankara.
The police seized several weapons during the raid, including a suicide vest armed with a bomb. The suspected terrorists, who are Turkish citizens, are currently being questioned by the police.
In London, there are fears that Islamic terrorists are planning an attack on New Year’s Eve.
The Telegraph reported that a “friendly” intelligence service warned officials in the United Kingdom about a possible gun or bomb attack in crowded places on New Year’s Eve.
In Russia, government officials told citizens that the safest way to see the New Year is by staying at home.
© 2015 Bright Mountain Media, Inc.
All rights reserved. The content of this webpage may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written consent of Bright Mountain Media, Inc. which may be contacted at info@brightmountainmedia.com
Army veteran hailed hero after subduing robbers to save women
Cop arrested using Army Reserve duty excuse for secret vacation