This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36416929
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 5 | Version 6 |
---|---|
Euro 2016 football tournament in France could be terror target, US warns | Euro 2016 football tournament in France could be terror target, US warns |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The US has warned that the Euro 2016 football championship being held in France next month could be a target of militant attacks. | The US has warned that the Euro 2016 football championship being held in France next month could be a target of militant attacks. |
"The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists," the State Department said. | "The large number of tourists visiting Europe in the summer months will present greater targets for terrorists," the State Department said. |
The event is being hosted from 10 June to 10 July at various venues. | The event is being hosted from 10 June to 10 July at various venues. |
France is already under a state of emergency following last year's Islamist-claimed attacks in Paris. | France is already under a state of emergency following last year's Islamist-claimed attacks in Paris. |
The near-simultaneous assaults on a stadium, concert hall, bars and restaurants left 130 people dead and many more wounded. | The near-simultaneous assaults on a stadium, concert hall, bars and restaurants left 130 people dead and many more wounded. |
In March, 32 people died in neighbouring Belgium when suicide blasts hit Brussels airport and a metro station. So-called Islamic State said it was behind both the Paris and Brussels attacks. | In March, 32 people died in neighbouring Belgium when suicide blasts hit Brussels airport and a metro station. So-called Islamic State said it was behind both the Paris and Brussels attacks. |
Up to a million foreign fans are expected in France for the tournament, which involves the continent's top national teams. | Up to a million foreign fans are expected in France for the tournament, which involves the continent's top national teams. |
In its travel alert for US citizens, the State Department warns of the dangers of militant attacks throughout Europe. | In its travel alert for US citizens, the State Department warns of the dangers of militant attacks throughout Europe. |
While it routinely issues travel alerts for short-term risks worldwide, this is only the third time in 20 years one has been issued for Europe. | While it routinely issues travel alerts for short-term risks worldwide, this is only the third time in 20 years one has been issued for Europe. |
The attacks could hit tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centres and transportation, the State Department warns, with large events such as Euro 2016 singled out. | The attacks could hit tourist sites, restaurants, commercial centres and transportation, the State Department warns, with large events such as Euro 2016 singled out. |
The warning also cites the Tour de France cycle race and the Catholic Church's Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, which is expected to draw up to 2.5 million visitors. | The warning also cites the Tour de France cycle race and the Catholic Church's Youth Day in Krakow, Poland, which is expected to draw up to 2.5 million visitors. |
An unnamed US official told the Reuters news agency they had no particular threat information that gave rise to the latest alert. | An unnamed US official told the Reuters news agency they had no particular threat information that gave rise to the latest alert. |
Experts give their view | Experts give their view |
Shamila Chaudhary, a former Obama administration official, told the BBC's Tara McKelvey that it was standard practise for the US to issue alerts for places where terrorism was "normalised" - and that now includes Europe. | Shamila Chaudhary, a former Obama administration official, told the BBC's Tara McKelvey that it was standard practise for the US to issue alerts for places where terrorism was "normalised" - and that now includes Europe. |
"I think Europeans themselves - forget Americans - have been in denial about their domestic terrorism," she said. | "I think Europeans themselves - forget Americans - have been in denial about their domestic terrorism," she said. |
But Richard Barrett, a former head of counterterrorism for MI6, said US officials often issue these kinds of alerts when they hear about potential threats - just because they obliged to tell people about them, not because anything is going to happen. | But Richard Barrett, a former head of counterterrorism for MI6, said US officials often issue these kinds of alerts when they hear about potential threats - just because they obliged to tell people about them, not because anything is going to happen. |
With this alert, the information that is provided is rather vague. As he says: "They're talking about the whole of Europe." | With this alert, the information that is provided is rather vague. As he says: "They're talking about the whole of Europe." |
"It may have just been a response to signals and a lot of noise," added Henry Crumpton, who served as the State Department's top counterterrorism official and is a former CIA officer. | "It may have just been a response to signals and a lot of noise," added Henry Crumpton, who served as the State Department's top counterterrorism official and is a former CIA officer. |
Travel alert is a precaution, not a warning | |
Britain's Foreign Office has warned of a high threat from terrorism in France. | Britain's Foreign Office has warned of a high threat from terrorism in France. |
Asked if it wanted to comment on the warning from the US, it said it had specific advice for football fans travelling to the competition. | Asked if it wanted to comment on the warning from the US, it said it had specific advice for football fans travelling to the competition. |
France's state of emergency was extended to included the tournament, and it also plans to deploy anti-drone technology as another precaution. | France's state of emergency was extended to included the tournament, and it also plans to deploy anti-drone technology as another precaution. |
More than 90,000 police, soldiers and private security agents are being deployed as well. | More than 90,000 police, soldiers and private security agents are being deployed as well. |