With America’s Independence Day approaching, alerts have been issued by federal authorities over lone actors perpetrating attacks in New York and other places which has become the biggest terrorist threat to July 4 festivities. In a joint bulletin issued last month by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies, the threat from lone offenders and small groups triggering violence remained high. “The most significant terrorism threat facing the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks stems from lone offenders and small groups of individuals seeking to commit acts of violence,” the threat assessment report stated, reported CNN. The threat is not centered around New York, but other large gatherings could also be targeted. The threat assessment added “These individuals are often motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal, or personal grievances.” However, the agencies confirmed that they haven’t received any specific threat at the massive fireworks show or related events. But the report adds that high profile, large events can attract the attention of malicious actors who are looking for an opportunity to target large gatherings in order to perpetrate criminal schemes. Law enforcement agencies had issued a similar warning during New Year’s celebration when a driver intentionally rammed his truck into a crowd of revelers on January 1 in New Orleans’ French quarter, killing 14 people. The suspect, a US army veteran who had served in Afghanistan, was killed by authorities in a shootout. Even the ongoing Israel-Hamas war could inspire a spate of violence in the United States due to the tension and escalation of hostilities. “Most attackers motivated at least in part by the Israel-HAMAS conflict have selected targets with a symbolic link to Israel, houses of worship, or locations associated with houses of worship,” the threat assessment noted. Drones have also raised eyebrows of the agencies as they can also spread violence at large gatherings. “Unauthorized unmanned aircraft system (UAS) activities may pose a hazard to participants and attendees, delay events, and disrupt law enforcement operations,” FBI noted. (with inputs from CNN)
