U.S. warns of possible terror attacks during Euro 2016

PanARMENIAN.Net - The United States warned its citizens Tuesday, May 31 that this summer's Euro 2016 soccer tournament and related events across France and Europe will present "potential targets for terrorists," AFP reports.

The month-long European Championship finals start in Paris on June 10, drawing the best international teams from the continent and hundreds of thousands of fans.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the intent of the warning was not to dissuade Americans from traveling to Europe, but simply to remind them to stay vigilant.

"I'm not aware of any specific, credible terrorist threat around these events," he said.

"This alert was issued, just as they always are, based on a cumulation of information and what we know continues to be an interest of terrorist groups to attack Western targets, and Americans specifically."

According to the warning, the threat concerns not just the French stadiums hosting matches themselves, but also areas across the continent where fans will gather in numbers, AFP says.

"Euro Cup stadiums, fan zones, and unaffiliated entertainment venues broadcasting the tournaments in France and across Europe represent potential targets for terrorists," it said.

The warning was contained in an earlier than planned update to its long-standing warning to U.S. travelers to beware extremist attacks on transport and public gatherings in Europe.