US raises terror alert due to Iraq crisis

WASHINGTON - The US government put the country on the second-highest level of security alert today and warned of possible attacks against the United States if the country takes military action against Iraq.

Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge announced the increase in the terror-alert level to "orange," meaning a "high" risk of attack, minutes after President Bush told Iraqi President Saddam Hussein that he had 48 hours to go into exile to avoid war.

"The intelligence community believes that terrorists will attempt multiple attacks against US and coalition targets worldwide in the event of a U.S-led military campaign against Saddam Hussein," Ridge said.

"A large volume of reporting across a range of sources, some of which are highly reliable, indicates that al Qaeda probably would attempt to launch terrorist attacks against US interests claiming they were defending Muslims or the 'Iraqi people' rather than Saddam Hussein's regime," he said.

The last time the government raised the terror alert level was on Feb. 7 when officials cited information on possible attacks on American targets. It remained at "orange" until Feb. 27 when it was dropped to "yellow" or "elevated" risk.

Ridge warned of "many recent indications" that al Qaeda's planning includes the use of chemical, biological and/or radiological materials.

The United States blames Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda network for the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States which killed 3,000 people.

US officials have said intelligence reports show a strong likelihood of some type of retaliation if the United States attacks Iraq.

Ridge specifically warned of the threat by Iraqi state agents, Iraqi "surrogate groups," other regional extremist organisations and "disgruntled individuals" not connected to existing organisations who may take advantage of the situation to attack the United States or its interests abroad.

Announcing an increase in security measures, Ridge cited recent suspicious activity around sites seen as potential targets.

"In recent months, there have been reports of suspicious activity in and around military facilities, ports, waterways, general infrastructure (bridges, dams, power generating facilities), and targets that are considered symbolic to US power and influence," he said in a statement.

- REUTERS

Full text of Bush's speech

Herald Feature: Iraq