The American army has raised the alert level on several of its bases in Europe, several media across the Atlantic reported on Sunday June 30. This is the “Charlie” level, the second highest, according to ABC News and CNN, citing officials on condition of anonymity. This level applies “in the event of an incident or intelligence indicating the probability of a form of terrorist action or targeting personnel or installations”, specifies the American army on its website.
Among the affected bases is U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart, Germany, home to U.S. European Command headquarters. “Many services will have significant numbers of employees working remotely or offices will be open with reduced staff,” the garrison said in a statement. In addition to Stuttgart, the Charlie alert level is also in place at Aviano Air Base in Italy, according to Stars and Stripesofficial journal of the armed forces in the United States.
One of the American officials, who is stationed at a base in Europe, told the channel continuously CNN that he had not seen that threat level “in at least 10 years,” and said it generally means the military has received an “active and reliable threat.” The U.S. military uses a system to assess and communicate the threat level to military personnel and assets. These conditions range from normal operations in peacetime to the highest alert status in response to specific threats. According to the U.S. military, the five levels are: Normal, Alpha, Bravo, Charlie or Delta, the highest alert status. Contacted by AFP, the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) would not confirm the change in status, but said: “We remain vigilant.”
“A combination of factors”
It’s unclear what intelligence triggered the increased security, but European authorities have warned of a potential terrorist threat on the continent, particularly in the run-up to the Paris Olympics and during the European Championships. football in progress in Germany. France is preparing for the possibility of a potential terrorist threat against the Olympic Games, which will begin on July 26. Since last March, France has raised its national security alert system to the highest level, according to the American embassy in France.
To support the continental football competition in Germany, the government has mobilized 580 international police officers to provide security alongside German officers. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said before the tournament began: “We are preparing for every conceivable danger: from Islamist terrorism to violent criminals and hooligans.”
The Pentagon, for its part, declared that “due to a combination of factors that could impact the safety and security of American service members and their families stationed in the European theater, the American command in Europe is doubling down on “efforts to emphasize vigilance during the summer months.” The US State Department is currently advising US citizens in Germany, where USEUCOM is headquartered, to exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorist acts.