WASHINGTON — The Homeland Security Department and FBI warned Friday of an increased risk of terrorist attacks on Americans at home and overseas, and stressed concerns al-Qaida could try to hijack cargo jets and crash them into targets.
Also Friday, the State Department issued a "worldwide caution" for Americans traveling abroad, urging that they "maintain a high level of vigilance" for possible terrorist attacks.
The Homeland Security statement urges caution during the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan — Eid al-Fitr, the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, begins at sundown Tuesday — and during the U.S. holiday travel season, which begins next week and ends in early January.
Separately, U.S. officials in Iraq warned of a possible upsurge in violence with the approaching end of Ramadan.
Officials say there are no plans for the U.S. government to raise the nation’s color-coded threat level beyond its current "yellow," or elevated, position, the midpoint on a five-level scale.
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