With several religious holidays on the horizon, the Secretary of Homeland Security has recently issued an updated National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin reflecting the heightened threat environment the country currently faces.
This bulletin, meant to replace the one set to expire on Nov. 11, will be in place until early 2022. It is the fourth such bulletin made since January, according to a Department of Homeland Security press release.
“The Homeland continues to face a diverse and challenging threat environment as it approaches several religious holidays and associated mass gatherings that in the past have served as potential targets for acts of violence,” DHS officials said in the release. “These threats include those posed by individuals and small groups engaged in violence, including domestic violent extremists (DVEs) and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences.”
The lingering COVID-19 crisis has caused further concern, as perceived abuses by the government in implementing public health measures could encourage extremists, according to the bulletin. Many suspected terrorists continue to make use of online forums as part of their influence campaigns, which are frequently dedicated to spreading “violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity,” the release said.
“DHS has renewed its commitment to work with our partners across every level of government, the private sector, and local communities to combat all forms of terrorism and targeted violence. We have also renewed our commitment to communicate with the American public often about the evolving threat landscape,” Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas said.
Suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online threats, can be reported to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices or a local Fusion Center. DHS is also asking industry partners to help pinpoint and respond to “the spread of disinformation, conspiracy theories, and false narratives on social media and other online platforms,” the release said.
