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US urges vigilance after 'IS online threat' to military | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The US military has called for "vigilance" after an online threat was allegedly made by Islamic State (IS) to about 100 of its personnel. | |
A list of names and addresses was posted on a website linked to the group alongside a call for them to be killed. | A list of names and addresses was posted on a website linked to the group alongside a call for them to be killed. |
The Pentagon said the threat was unverified and would be investigated. | |
The IS-linked group said it obtained the information by hacking servers and databases, but US officials said most of the data was in the public domain. | |
A US security source told the BBC that those on the list were being contacted. | A US security source told the BBC that those on the list were being contacted. |
The group, which called itself the Islamic State Hacking Division, said the personnel named had participated in US missions against IS. | The group, which called itself the Islamic State Hacking Division, said the personnel named had participated in US missions against IS. |
It urged its supporters in the US to "take the final step" and "deal with" those named. | It urged its supporters in the US to "take the final step" and "deal with" those named. |
A US defence official told US media: "I can't confirm the validity of the information, but we are looking into it." | |
Where key countries stand on IS | Where key countries stand on IS |
Why IS seeks to expand | Why IS seeks to expand |
US Marine Corps spokesman Lt Col John Caldwell said: "Vigilance and force protection considerations remain a priority for commanders and their personnel." | |
He recommended that marines "check their online/social footprint, ensuring privacy settings are adjusted to limit the amount of available personal information". | |
The US and its allies have been conducting air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq since last September. | The US and its allies have been conducting air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and Iraq since last September. |
IS has seized large swathes of territory in both countries. Its brutal tactics, including mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, have sparked outrage across the world. | IS has seized large swathes of territory in both countries. Its brutal tactics, including mass killings and abductions of members of religious and ethnic minorities, have sparked outrage across the world. |