World Boosts Security Ahead of NYE Celebrations
PHOTO: Military security forces present in Las Vegas, Nevada.
This year, although relatively quiet up until after the season of summer, America was faced with some troubling attacks and incidents. In fact, two of America's top five deadliest mass shootings in recorded history took place only a few months ago and only 36 days apart from one another - in Las Vegas and Sutherland Springs.
Las Vegas, one of the focuses of this article, was faced with America's deadliest mass shooting in recorded history. A gunman mounted onto the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel on the Vegas strip and used at least two of his 52 owned guns to shoot across the street into a concert. Using bump stocks, the gunfire didn't stop for 9 minutes.
At least 58 people were killed in the attack of which police still have absolutely no motive behind. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack; but the FBI strictly denied any connections with the terror group and called the claim 'empty'. At least 500 other people at the country-song concert were shot and injured in the ambush.
Meanwhile in New York City, at least two terror attacks only a few days away from each other took the lives of 8 people. ISIS was held responsible for both of the attacks. The first was conducted by a man who drove a vehicle into pedestrians on a bike path. At least 8 people died and 12 were hurt. Only a while later, a reported ISIS sympathizer attempted to conduct a suicide bombing in a New York City metro. He injured himself as well as four other citizens caught nearby.
Amid these attacks by American citizens and foreign immigrants as well as direct terror sympathizers whether born (or not born) in America; it's clear that this holiday season is a significant target for - in specific - terrorists in the United States.
Recent reports suggested a foiled terror attack, scheduled to have been carried out on Pier 39 in San Francisco on Christmas day, informed the FBI that there is a severe threat on this year's holiday season on whether or not terror will make a move.
Within recent years, ISIS has been known for making empty threats on America's biggest celebratory cities in time of the New Years celebrations. In fact, the two mainly targeted American cities this time of year are Las Vegas and New York City. Both cities feel that this year, if anything, is definitely more dangerous.
NYC was first to announce that they'd have an increased amount of security forces around New York's Times Square area on the New Year's Eve celebration sectors. They also announced that random bag checks would be made for women's purses, but backpacks and umbrellas were not allowed for obvious security reasons.
Las Vegas shortly followed by declaring their security strategy this New Year is going to be with hidden snipers on buildings across the Las Vegas strip and aimed guns towards any potential threat to the citizens and pedestrians across the city. Extra military-armed security forces will take to the strip to insure security among citizens.
But what if ISIS is using their threats on Las Vegas and New York as a cover-up and distraction from their real target, as they do almost all the time?
ISIS has recently threatened the country right up north of America; Canada's provinces are bracing for what could always be a dangerous New Year. With major celebrations in Canada's two largest cities and the capital; Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa - it's never sure whether or not terror will strike. And unlike the US, Canadian security forces aren't exactly known for being able to protect citizens. Back in 2014, it came to notice that parliament guards often hold un-loaded guns.
In the United Kingdom, 4 people had recently been arrested in connections with a terror plot on Britain's largest cities. Officials believe the threat was aimed to be carried out around Christmas time. Although this plot was taken down, officials and police forces are increasing security ahead of London's NYE plans in fears of yet another attack to end the new-found year of terror in Britain.
Russia has also seen an influx of terror threats within recent weeks. In fact, they were labeled by many of our sources as the 'most probably target' for Islamic State's terror attacks this New Year. Only a few days before Christmas, with the aid of the CIA, 7 were arrested in St Petersburg in connection with a plot to attack a cathedral. Only yesterday (Dec. 27), an explosion injured 10 people in a St Petersburg supermarket. It's unsure at the moment of Russia has increased NYE security forces in Moscow.
Whether or not other countries are at threat of terror attacks as the year wraps up is unsure; with countries like France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Italy, Austria always at risk in Europe and countries like Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Pakistan, Afghanistan and many other countries in that region at risk virtually any time of year.
Here's our list of countries we think should probably increase security this New Years in relevance and connection to recent terror-related incidents, non-terror incidents that remained deadly, and simple threats from ISIS.
1. United States
2. Canada
3. United Kingdom
4. United Arab Emirates
5. Russia
6. Afghanistan
7. Pakistan
8. India
9. China
10. Turkey