The US military has increased security protection measures at its bases across Europe.
The threat level is being raised to “Charlie” – the second-highest level for service members.
It is activated when an “incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating that some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely”.
US officials said a combination of events had led to the move.
These include elections in the UK and France, the forthcoming Paris Olympics, other major sporting events, and the wars in Ukraine and Gaza.
Service members and their families should maintain a lower profile and be extra aware of their surroundings, one official said.
At U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, the Army garrison issued a communitywide alert that the force protection threat level was elevated to condition “Charlie” until further notice.
Similar directives were sent to other bases in Germany, including the Army’s Rheinland-Pfalz and Ramstein Air Base, which together form the largest U.S. military community overseas.
The Rheinland-Pfalz garrison alert includes Baumholder and outlying installations in Romania and Bulgaria. Aviano Air Base in Italy also rose its condition level to Charlie, and other installations in Italy introduced enhanced security measures.
Photo: A US military policeman at Hohenfels, Germany. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Dustin D. Biven / 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment)
