Suspicious: Number of US Embassies Around the World' to Close Due to 'Security Concerns'

What’s up? I would check to see if there are any anti-terrorism exercises taking place on Sunday, August 4th and if so, where.

There were reports that during the terrorist events in Madrid, London, and New York, anti-terrorism exercises were taking place at the same time in those cities. What a coincidence!

U.S. to 'Close an Unspecified Number of Embassies Around the World' Due to 'Security Concerns'

3:03 PM, Aug 1, 2013 • By DANIEL HALPER

United States will "close an unspecified number of embassies around the world" because of "security concerns," AFP reports. The closures will take place on Sunday.

The wire service adds:

State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf on Thursday called the step "precautionary" but declined to specify the threat or list which missions would be closed.

"The Department of State has instructed certain US embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4," Harf told reporters.

The decision was taken "out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations," she said.

Harf said that the embassies would be closed specifically on Sunday, with an assessment afterwards on whether to reopen them.

"It is possible we may have additional days of closing as well," she said.

Harf declined to specify from which part of the world the threat was detected.

And here's the transcript of the State Department's announcement:

Q: There are some, I guess you could call them rumors that I was hoping you could address that some U.S. embassies may be closing or closed?

MS. HARF: Yes. Just one second. So the Department of State has instructed certain U.S. embassies and consulates to remain closed or to suspend operations on Sunday, August 4th. The department has been apprised of information that out of an abundance of caution and care for our employees and others who may be visiting our installations, that indicates we should institute these precautionary steps. The department, when conditions warrant, takes steps like this to balance our continued operations with security and safety.