The National Counterterrorism Center warned Friday that al-Qaida and its Yemen-based affiliate, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, remain determined to carry out attacks against the United States.
In a nationwide advisory to law enforcement, the agency said both groups are looking to exploit global conflicts and continued U.S. involvement overseas.
The memo warned that al-Qaida and its Yemen-based affiliate “are likely seeking to leverage their media publications and global conflicts, particularly where there is U.S. support or military involvement, to inspire potential attackers.”
The National Counterterrorism Center, established after the 9/11 attacks, urged heightened vigilance among government personnel. Officials were advised not to post travel plans online, to avoid displaying badges or IDs in public, and to remain alert for signs of surveillance.
The advisory also flagged soft targets such as sporting events and concerts, recommending visible law enforcement presence and pre-event security briefings. The agency stressed the intelligence was intended to give local authorities tools to disrupt possible plots.
While the memo emphasized a broad threat environment, conservative activist and journalist Laura Loomer issued more alarming claims Friday night on X, alleging that al-Qaida cells have already entered the U.S. and are preparing coordinated attacks across multiple cities.
“Sources tell me tonight that the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) has officially determined that Islamic terrorists affiliated with Al Qaeda have infiltrated U.S. soil and are actively planning a series of coordinated Islamic terror attacks,” Loomer wrote.
“This marks the first time federal counterterrorism officials have openly acknowledged the immediacy of such threats,” she added.
Loomer claimed that terrorists are preparing to impersonate first responders by obtaining police and EMT uniforms from surplus stores and online vendors. She said the goal would be to blend in during attacks, misdirect panicked crowds, and stage secondary strikes.
She further alleged that hospitals and medical centers in major cities — including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Miami — have been scouted as potential targets, with the intent to cripple trauma facilities and block treatment for victims, thereby increasing casualties.