Japan has joined the list Monday of countries officially warning their citizens against travel to Europe due to rising terror threats. Previously Canada, the US and Great Britain have all made similar precautionary warnings.
Japan has urged its citizens to be cautious when travelling to Europe, especially when visiting popular tourist destinations or using public transportation systems.
The warnings come on the back of news that a senior Al Qaeda commander was killed last week. It is believed that he was planning to carry out attacks in Europe similar to those in Mumbai in 2008.
Global security expert Sajjan Gohel of the Asia-Pacific Foundation has said, “His elimination doesn't mean that that aspiration has disappeared. And the concern that the authorities have is that there may be individuals that he was in the process of recruiting that could end up taking up that plot themselves.”
Despite many countries advising their citizen’s to use caution when travelling in Europe, Gohel says that this does not mean that a terrorist attack is likely in the next couple of days:
“That doesn't mean that there is going to be a terrorist attack today or tomorrow, it's just to put people on alert to be vigilant. And I think that's important because terrorism itself continues to remain a concern and it continues to proliferate -- and not just al Qaeda, but a number of groups."
Authorities in many countries are now asking citizens to take appropriate steps to keep safe while travelling in Europe, including keeping up on the local news and being aware of their surroundings.
