US military bases in Europe raise alert second-highest level after fears of 'terrorist action'
US European Command is headquartered in Germany
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Several US military bases across Europe have been put on a heightened state of alert over possible 'terrorist' action.
Two US officials said that the level of force protection was raised to its second-highest level amid concerns that a terrorist attack could target US military personnel or facilities.
The US Army Garrison in Stuttgart, Germany, where US European Command is headquartered, raised their level to Force Protection Condition Charlie.
According to the US Army, the level "applies when an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely."
US European Command is headquartered in Germany
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One of the US officials, who is stationed at a base in Europe, told CNN they haven’t seen this threat level "in at least 10 years" and said it usually means the military has received an "active-reliable threat."
Bases in Rheinland-Pfalz and Ramstein, as well as Aviano Air Base in Italy, were all put on alert level Charlie over the weekend.
A spokesperson from United States European Command (EUCOM) said efforts to stress vigilance were being increased "due to a combination of factors impacting the safety and security of US service members and their families stationed in the European theatre."
It is not currently known why the four bases, which together make up the largest overseas US military community, raised their threat levels.
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Aviano Air Base in Italy
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It comes as European authorities have warned of a potential terror threat on the continent, especially ahead of the Paris Olympics in July and during the current European football championships in Germany.
According to the US embassy in Paris, France has raised its national security alert system to the highest level.
A spokesperson from the embassy said: "French authorities actively monitor terrorist threats from organized groups and radicalized individuals.
"Attacks may happen with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, major sporting and cultural events, and other public areas that attract large numbers of civilians."
France's security alert system, Vigipirate, was pushed to its highest level months ago, where it remains to this day, after Macron held an emergency meeting to discuss the already tense security situation in the country, as it prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games.
He revealed that Isis-K, the Isis offshoot that Western intelligence believes carried out the attack at the concert hall in Moscow, has "attempted several times to hit France".
The UK's current terror threat level is "substantial", the third-highest level out of five.
According to MI5, this means an "attack is likely". In October, British intelligence chiefs considered pushing it up one level to 'severe', following the outbreak of war between Israel and Hamas.