Pentagon Boosts Alert Level at Military Bases Following ISIL Threats
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - The US military increased the security level at US military bases due to unspecific warnings involving the radical Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorist group. The alert level is now at its highest since the 10th anniversary of 9/11.
The order to boost the security level on US military bases to “Bravo” – the third of five levels of alert - was ordered by Admiral William Gortney, head of the US Northern Command (NORTHCOM), which commands all military installations on American territory.
The move comes just hours after FBI Director James Comey spoke out on the increasing threat of jihadist attacks being carried out on US soil.
Comey said Thursday there are "hundreds, maybe thousands" of individuals in the United States who are being inspired via social media platforms to carry out acts of violence on American targets.
"It's like the devil sitting on their shoulders, saying 'Kill, kill, kill,''' Comey told reporters Thursday.
"We have a general concern, obviously, that ISIL is focusing on the uniformed military and law enforcement."
The Pentagon has come around to the view that ISIL sympathizers residing in the United States present enough of a risk to warrant boosting the security level, RT reported.
A statement released by the Department of Defense said they share the “same concern about the potential threat posed by homegrown violent extremists, as discussed publicly by Director Comey and others."
US military brass said the change is “not tied to a specific, credible threat,” though “recent events have led us to recognize the need to take prudent steps.”
