The US military has bolstered security at bases across the country as a precaution after the FBI voiced concern that Islamist extremists could target troops or police officers, officials said today.
The head of US Northern Command, Admiral William Gortney, ordered the heightened alert to make sure troops have a "greater awareness and vigilance out in the field" for potential security risks, a defense official told AFP.
"We want to make sure they're taking extra care guarding installations and our people," the official said.
The move raised the official alert status one notch higher on a five-point scale, from the fourth level "Alpha" to the third level "Bravo," which the military describes as an "increased and predictable threat of terrorism."
Officials said most of the additional security measures would likely not be readily apparent to the public, apart from perhaps more bags being searched at base entrances.
The move came after two men attempted to storm an exhibition on Sunday showing caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed in a Dallas suburb. The two heavily-armed gunmen were shot dead by a local police officer before they could approach the building where the event was being held.
Pentagon chief Ashton Carter had said yesterday the two assailants had been "inspired by" the Islamic State group to stage the failed attack.
FBI Director James Comey reportedly said yesterday authorities were concerned about the IS encouraging attacks on "the uniformed military and law enforcement" via online propaganda.
There are "hundreds, maybe thousands" of people in the United States who had received recruitment messages from the jihadists, Comey said.
