The Department of Homeland Security released a terror bulletin Nov. 9 indicating new possible threats from drones and chemical weapons.
“Some terrorist groups overseas are using battlefield experiences to pursue new technologies and tactics, such as unmanned aerial systems and chemical agents that could be used outside the conflict zones,” the bulletin states. “Additionally, terrorists continue to target commercial aviation and air cargo, including with concealed explosives.”
The bulletin also says that terror groups continue encouraging recruits “to adopt easy-to-use tools to target public places and events,” noting recent attacks including small arms fire, vehicle attacks, and other methods. “Homegrown terror suspects increasingly rely on technology, such as end-to-end encrypted social media applications to avoid detection,” it states.
The bulletin will expire in May 2018.
The National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) replaced the color-coded Homeland Security Advisory System in 2011. NTAS bulletins, which began in 2015 address “current developments or general trends” in terrorism and are the lowest-level advisory. “Elevated Alert” advisories address “credible terrorism threats” to the country, and “Imminent Alert” advisories note “credible, specific, and impending” threats. Read the entire current bulletin here.