An attack on U.S. soil by the Islamic State may happen, the Transportation Security Agency said in a classified warning Friday.
According to Jana Winter at The Intercept, who reviewed the warning, the notice was released by TSA’s Transportation Security Operations Center.
A source told The Intercept the warning was broad, without any particular details referencing the kind of attack or where it may happen.
Airports in the Los Angeles area and other parts of Southern California pumped up their security as a result of the issued threat warning, NBC News reports. Threats of violence against uniformed personnel is a central focus of concern.
“Over the last few months, we have made a number of security adjustments, including enhanced screening at select overseas airports and increasing random searches of passengers and carry-on luggage on flights inbound to the U.S., reflecting an evolving threat picture,” A DHS spokesman told NBC.
The Islamic State, which continues to grow its influence around the world, including in the United States, has threatened to attack Americans on their own soil in the past. Last year, the terrorist organization urged its supporters to find the homes of American military personnel and “slaughter them.”