FBI Concerned About 'Coordinated Attack' on U.S. Soil

The increase in activities of ISIS supporters, including online threats against European officials and a deadly attack in the suburbs of Moscow, has raised concerns among U.S. security officials. Christopher Wray, the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is set to testify on Thursday, April 12, before U.S. lawmakers about the possibility of a 'coordinated attack' on U.S. soil similar to the deadly ISIS-Khorasan attack at a concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow. In recent days, police and security agencies in several European countries have implemented heightened security measures following ISIS calls for attacks on sports stadiums in Madrid, London, and Paris. According to the English section of Voice of America, the FBI's warning indicates a potential shift in the U.S. assessment of ISIS's operational capabilities. Following the ISIS attack on the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow that left 145 dead, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that there was no specific or credible information indicating that ISIS had the capability to threaten the United States. Additionally, several U.S. intelligence and military organizations have stated that despite ISIS's strong desire to attack the U.S., it appears that the group and none of its affiliates have the capability to carry out an attack on U.S. soil. In this context, Christian Abizaid, the Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, recently stated in an interview that ISIS is making significant efforts to carry out a major attack against the United States. Michael 'Eric' Kurilla, the commander of U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), also recently warned in a Senate committee meeting that ISIS-Khorasan has the capability to attack U.S. and Western interests abroad within the next six months without prior warning. Currently, the DHS is urging American citizens to remain vigilant. A spokesperson for the department stated on Wednesday, April 11, that the United States remains in a high-threat environment. According to him, the DHS continues to work with U.S. partners to assess threat conditions and provide necessary updates to American citizens. The ISIS terrorist threat; UEFA Champions League matches are being held under heightened security. CENTCOM: U.S.-led coalition forces conducted 94 operations against ISIS in Iraq and Syria this year. Three more suspects have been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the attack on the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow. Reuters: The Iranian government had warned Russia before the deadly ISIS attack in Moscow. Russian officials announced the arrest of another suspect in the attack on the concert hall in the suburbs of Moscow.