Israelis Warned of Highest-Level Immediate Terror Risk in Philippines

YERUSHALAYIM
Israelis, Warned, Terror, Risk, Philippines
A building in Marawi, Philippines, set ablaze by air strikes carried out by the Philippine Air Force, June 15, 2017. (Mark Johomel)

Israel’s Counter-Terrorism Bureau warned travelers on Thursday that a highest-level alert, Level 1, was in effect for areas in the southern Philippines.

“Following a situation assessment by the Counter-Terrorism Bureau, a decision was made to further raise the severity of the travel warning to the island of Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago group of islands,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.

Level 1 is the highest on a scale of 1 to 4.

“There is a real and tangible risk to Israelis staying in the area,” the statement said and noted that the warning was issued due to increased activities by terrorists, and in particular “global jihad groups.”

“In light of the severity of the threat, the recommendation of the CTB to Israelis is to avoid visiting the area of ​​the travel warning, and those who are there to leave immediately.”

Martial law was imposed in the area in May in response to what the government described as a rising threat from Islamic State there.

Clashes with the terrorists in Marawi have left at least 171 people dead and forced over 300,000 residents in the area to flee for safety.

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