Europe: Islamic State calls for attacks during Ramadan

Event

An audio message purportedly released by the Islamic State (IS) on Monday, June 12, calls on members to carry out attacks on a specific group of countries during the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan, which ends on June 25. In the message - which has yet to be independently authenticated - a man whose voice reportedly matches that of IS spokesman Abi al-Hassan al-Muhajer instructs members to carry out attacks throughout Europe as well as in Iraq, Syria, Iran, the United States, Russia, Australia, and the Philippines.

As such, heightened security measures are possible, particularly in major cities.

Context

In recent years, IS, as well as other groups, have called on their fighters to perpetrate attacks during the holy month of Ramadan, which the group has called a "holy month of jihad." So far during Ramadan in 2017, major attacks have been carried out in London, Baghdad, and Tehran, killing dozens.

Europe has seen a number of major terrorist attacks over the past two years perpetrated or allegedly inspired by IS, most recently in London on June 3 and in Manchester on May 22. In March 2016, two explosions at the Brussels-Zaventem International Airport (BRU), followed by another explosion at the Maelbeek metro station, killed 30. On November 13, 2015, terrorists killed at least 130 people in coordinated attacks across Paris.

Advice

Individuals throughout Europe are advised to exercise vigilance, report any suspicious objects or behavior to the local authorities (particularly when in crowded places), cooperate with authorities, and always carry appropriate identification.