There is no doubt that the ISIS organization as a solid central group has ended, but many analysts and security officials believe that the organization, which has been defeated in its strongholds in the Middle East, has made significant progress in Africa and parts of South Asia, where it has taken control of territories and resources that could serve as a launching point for a new wave of violence. This may have prompted several Western governments to raise their security alert levels, especially after the attack on a concert hall in Moscow last March, which was claimed by ISIS and resulted in the deaths of 150 people.
The U.S. military announced months after the incident that it has raised the level of alert at several of its bases in Europe, as reported by several U.S. media outlets on Monday.
What does raising the alert level at U.S. bases mean? The United States has confirmed raising the alert level at its bases in America to "Charlie" level, which is the second highest level, according to a report by CNN citing officials who spoke on condition of anonymity. The military explained in a statement on its official website that this level is implemented when an incident occurs or when intelligence indicates a potential terrorist act or targeting of individuals or facilities.
They added that the highest level is "Delta," which is applied when a terrorist attack is ongoing or imminent. For its part, U.S. Europe Command did not confirm this change in status but said, "We remain vigilant." The U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon) clarified that the decision was based on a combination of factors that could affect the safety and security of American military personnel and their families stationed in the European theater.
As a result, the U.S. command in Europe felt it was necessary to double its efforts to emphasize the importance of vigilance during the summer months. The U.S. State Department also advised American citizens in Germany, where the U.S. European Command is headquartered, to exercise increased caution due to the risk of terrorist acts.
This announcement comes at a time when European countries are on high alert following an attack that killed around 150 people in the suburbs of Moscow last March, which was claimed by ISIS in Khorasan. France has also raised its alert level in preparation for the Olympic Games in Paris and has increased monitoring while raising threat warnings to the highest levels. In Germany, officials have described the "security threat as high" for several months, especially as it currently hosts the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament.
