DHS Releases New Threat Level Bulletin

DHS Releases New Threat Level Bulletin

WASHINGTON - DECEMBER 8: during a news conference December 8, 2010 in Washington, DC. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet A. Napolitano spoke at the news conference to announce the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign.(Photo by Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)

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Following the tragic terrorist attack on the Pulse gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida on 12 June, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin on Thursday, 16 June.

The advisory is what the DHS calls an “intermediate level NTAS Bulletin,” which is the lowest of three possible alert levels.  It states that the DHS has “no intelligence that is both specific and credible at this time of a plot by terrorist organizations to attack the homeland.”

“In this environment, we are particularly concerned about homegrown violent extremists who could strike with little or no notice. The tragic events of Orlando several days ago reinforce this.  Accordingly, increased public vigilance and awareness continue to be of utmost importance,” said in a statement Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.

DHS, according to the bulletin, remains “concerned those violent extremists could be inspired to conduct attacks inside the U.S.” DHS wishes to emphasise the importance of heightened vigilance on the part of the general public to prevent future attacks.

“In the current environment, DHS is also concerned about threats and violence directed at particular communities and individuals across the country, based on perceived religion, ethnicity, nationality or sexual orientation,” the bulletin stated.

The NTAS system was introduced following the San Bernardino terrorist attack in December 2015. It replaced a two-tier predecessor system, as the shifting global threat and the rise of “lone wolf” attacks required a new system with “an intermediate level,” said at the time Johnson.