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Electronics banned on some US flights from Middle East | Electronics banned on some US flights from Middle East |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The US has announced a ban on large electronic devices from cabin baggage on passenger flights from eight Muslim majority countries. | The US has announced a ban on large electronic devices from cabin baggage on passenger flights from eight Muslim majority countries. |
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said extremists were seeking "innovative methods" to bring down jets. | The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said extremists were seeking "innovative methods" to bring down jets. |
Bombs could be hidden in laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games, it said. | Bombs could be hidden in laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games, it said. |
The measure will affect nine airlines operating out of 10 airports. | The measure will affect nine airlines operating out of 10 airports. |
Large electronic devices will only be allowed on board in checked baggage. Phones are exempt from the new rules. | Large electronic devices will only be allowed on board in checked baggage. Phones are exempt from the new rules. |
Will the new US travel rules affect me? | Will the new US travel rules affect me? |
The nine airlines affected are: | The nine airlines affected are: |
US officials said the airlines had been given 96 hours, beginning at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday, to ban devices bigger than a mobile phone or smartphone from cabins. They said the ban had no end date. | US officials said the airlines had been given 96 hours, beginning at 07:00 GMT on Tuesday, to ban devices bigger than a mobile phone or smartphone from cabins. They said the ban had no end date. |
AFP news agency said passengers on some 50 flights a day from some of the busiest hubs in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa would be required to follow the new rules. | AFP news agency said passengers on some 50 flights a day from some of the busiest hubs in the Middle East, Turkey and North Africa would be required to follow the new rules. |
Why now? - Analysis from Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent | Why now? - Analysis from Frank Gardner, BBC security correspondent |
The restriction is based, we are told, on "evaluated intelligence". That means that US intelligence has either intercepted discussion of a possible extremist plot or has been passed word of one by a human informant. | The restriction is based, we are told, on "evaluated intelligence". That means that US intelligence has either intercepted discussion of a possible extremist plot or has been passed word of one by a human informant. |
The Middle Eastern and North African airports affected are nearly all ones with close, friendly relations with Washington, so this will be seen by some as a drastic and unpopular measure. Wealthy Gulf Arab business leaders flying to the US, for example, will no longer be able to work on their laptops mid-flight. | The Middle Eastern and North African airports affected are nearly all ones with close, friendly relations with Washington, so this will be seen by some as a drastic and unpopular measure. Wealthy Gulf Arab business leaders flying to the US, for example, will no longer be able to work on their laptops mid-flight. |
But aviation security experts were alarmed by an incident in Somalia last year when the insurgent group al-Shabaab smuggled an explosive-filled laptop on a flight out of Mogadishu, blowing a hole in the side of the plane. The aircraft was still low enough that the pilot was able to land the plane safely. | But aviation security experts were alarmed by an incident in Somalia last year when the insurgent group al-Shabaab smuggled an explosive-filled laptop on a flight out of Mogadishu, blowing a hole in the side of the plane. The aircraft was still low enough that the pilot was able to land the plane safely. |
In a statement, the DHS said: "The US government is concerned about terrorists' ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt; the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia; and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul. | In a statement, the DHS said: "The US government is concerned about terrorists' ongoing interest in targeting commercial aviation, including transportation hubs over the past two years, as evidenced by the 2015 airliner downing in Egypt; the 2016 attempted airliner downing in Somalia; and the 2016 armed attacks against airports in Brussels and Istanbul. |
"Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items." | "Evaluated intelligence indicates that terrorist groups continue to target commercial aviation, to include smuggling explosive devices in various consumer items." |
Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called members of Congress over the weekend to explain the security issues behind the ban, congressional aides said. | Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly called members of Congress over the weekend to explain the security issues behind the ban, congressional aides said. |
The restrictions are said to have been under consideration for several weeks. | The restrictions are said to have been under consideration for several weeks. |
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