9/11 anniversary, COVID-19 measures could spark terrorist attacks in the US: DHS

The 9/11 anniversary, more pandemic measures and religious holidays could spark terrorist attacks in in the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security warned.

The upcoming 20th anniversary of 9/11, religious holidays and more pandemic restrictions amid a COVID-19 surge caused by the delta variant, could give rise to terrorist attacks in the U.S, the Department of Homeland Security is warning. DHS' National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin issued on Friday, warned that threats from domestic terrorists -- individuals engaged in grievance-based violence -- and foreign terrorists are exacerbated by the pandemic, "including grievances over public health safety measures and perceived government restrictions." The bulletin said that racially or ethnically motivated extremists will exploit the reintroduction of COVID-19 variants as a means to carry out attacks because of reimplemented pandemic restrictions. This is the third NTAS bulletin the Department has issued since January.