Unclassified Threat Situation (as of May 3, 2024)

USAREUR-AF stresses the importance for DoD personnel to apply prudent security measures and asks commanders to remind personnel to remain vigilant, increase their awareness of their security environment, report suspicious activity, and take proactive steps to improve individual and organizational security. This unclassified threat statement informs DOD elements and personnel under U.S. Army Europe and Africa’s (USAREUR-AF) Force Protection responsibility on the current general threat situation.

Activities associated with inspired “lone wolf” terrorists and hostile-nation intelligence collection remains significant and enduring collateral threats to U.S. and DOD-affiliated personnel. Additionally, situations both within and outside of the USAREUR-AF Area of Operation (AO) influence the security environment, such as the Israeli/Hamas conflict, international military operations in the Middle East, Quran desecrations, and continued Russian aggression in Eastern Europe.

Transnational terrorist groups, state-sponsored terrorists, and those inspired by their propaganda continue to threaten Europe, Africa, and U.S. interests worldwide. Terrorists often target mass transit, tourist venues, sporting events, places of worship, police, and military forces. Lone wolf actors – those operating without direct guidance from violent extremist organizations (VEO) – act on their initiative and timelines, sometimes in response to events taking place outside of Europe or Africa. Unsophisticated plots by lone wolf terrorists and VEOs are difficult to detect, can occur with little or no warning, and may attempt to attack targets of opportunity, including, but not limited to, demonstrations, sporting and cultural events, religious observances, markets, and other public gatherings.

Threats posed by violent actors in Africa differ from those in Europe; however, just as when traveling in Europe, personnel should get updated threat information for specific areas prior to traveling in Africa. Extreme levels of poverty, underdevelopment, cultural and religious fractionalization, overcrowding, and environmental vulnerabilities have led to destabilization and permissive operating areas for violent actors, with more than 20 VEOs with constantly shifting objectives and allegiances operating in at least 12 African countries. Pockets of extremism present lethal threats to U.S. equities in specific locations across the continent. At the same time, risks related to crime, abduction, disease, and undeveloped healthcare systems can be regionally significant and create risks for DOD personnel.

Ongoing geopolitical events can result in scheduled and unscheduled demonstrations and protests. Despite intentions, demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn hostile and possibly escalate into violence without warning, representing a collateral risk to DOD-affiliated personnel. Political issues, human rights, and other global and emerging issues are potential influencers driving public demonstrations and protests.

Although off-installation uniform wear is permitted to a limited extent, personnel must review local policies and gain an understanding of local restrictions and why they are in place. Commanders and Servicemembers must consider the security environment when deciding whether to wear uniforms off-post. USAREUR-AF commanders enact local restrictions out of an abundance of caution after considering multiple factors such as criminal, terrorism, or intelligence threats, and errors on the side of caution when insufficient information is available to make an informed risk-based decision. Current policies are available on U.S. Army Garrison webpages or from unit Antiterrorism Officers.

Personnel must stay current with media coverage of local events, remain aware of their surroundings, and keep in regular contact with their unit, colleagues, family members, and friends while traveling. DOD personnel should monitor local news outlets, the Armed Forces Network (AFN), and the Alerts and Messages page of U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in the countries where they live and travel to remain aware of changes in the security environment.  USEUCOM requires enrollment in the U.S. State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This service allows personnel to enroll their presence with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate and receive important information about security conditions at their duty or destination country. Step enrollment and local security information is available at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages.html..

Download the Anti-terrorism Travel Awareness Trifold (As of 6 Nov., 2023) This guide will assist in your travel planning.