The FBI has issued an unusually specific warning about the possibility of another act of terrorism, saying it has received information that a planned attack could be carried out against American interests as early as Tuesday.
A Justice Department official says the FBI learned of the threat while questioning detainees captured in Afghanistan, who are being held by the U.S. military there and in Cuba. The information was deemed credible enough for the agency to rush out this new warning to the public and law enforcement authorities around the world.
The FBI gives no specifics concerning possible targets, but says an attack could be planned in the United States or against U.S. interests in Yemen.
Information posted on the FBI Web site, along with photos, alerts the public to be on the lookout for a Yemeni man, identified as Fawaz Yahya Al-Rabeei, who authorities believe was born in Saudi Arabia in 1979. His whereabouts are unknown. The FBI says he may be traveling with a number of associates of Middle Eastern origin. It warns all these men should be considered extremely dangerous.
This is the latest in a series of warnings that have been issued since last September's terrorist attacks. It comes as law enforcement officials are already on alert over security surrounding the winter Olympic games in Salt Lake City, Utah. Three previous alerts have not been as specific as this one.