US to Temporarily Close Embassies in Muslim Countries

The U.S. wants to close some of its embassies and consulates this coming Sunday because of security risks. It should be understood as a precautionary measure, according to State Department spokesperson Marie Harf. The background to it was the release of some information that posed risk of danger for certain U.S. representations.

According to Harf, the embassies and consulates could be closed for more than one day. The countries and regions affected have not been disclosed. Harf drew attention to a worldwide security warning given by the U.S. last February. They warned against possible attacks by the terrorist organization al-Qaida and confederates on U.S. targets.

Last year, the U.S. Secretary of State in Washington issued a security notice to diplomatic U.S. institutions in Muslim countries, in which she warned against possible violence around the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

In the end it led to protests in front of dozens of representations against a U.S. citizen’s abusive anti-Islamic video. In Libyan Bengazi, Ambassador Christopher Stevens and three of his colleagues were killed when militant extremists stormed the consulate there.