Latest news with #AllieScott
Newsweek
22-07-2025
- Newsweek
Army Warns of Terror Threat in Florida
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) sent out a letter warning about a "potential terrorist threat" in Florida. The letter was sent to retired senior officials living in Florida who had worked previously for the Defense Department (DOD) in Syria or Iraq. Colonel Allie Weiskopf, U.S. Special Operations Command director of public affairs, told Newsweek: "The military receives reports of threats all the time. In this case, Army Special Operations wanted to ensure the right personnel were tracking." Neither the nature of the threat nor a terrorist group was mentioned in the letter. Close-up US ARMY badge taken at the U.S. military training area Grafenwoehr, headquarters of the 7th Army Training Command on March 11th, 2022. Close-up US ARMY badge taken at the U.S. military training area Grafenwoehr, headquarters of the 7th Army Training Command on March 11th, 2022. Frank Hoermann/SVEN SIMON/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images Why It Matter Colonel Allie Scott explained to The New York Times that this kind of letter is not uncommon, but that the threat was deemed credible enough to issue the warning. USASOC was involved in strikes across Syria and Iraq targeting the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda. Many of those involved in those strikes have remained unidentified for fear of retaliation. What To Know The letter sent on July 15 is a "Duty to Warn" letter. It was posted to social media by Marine and blogger Kagan Dunlap, and initially confirmed by USASOC to The New York Times and Task & Purpose on July 17. The warning, sent by Colonel Mark A. Katz, USASOC provost marshal, states that the threat does not involve current USASOC personnel, but it should "reinforce the importance of vigilance and situational awareness." The MacDill Air Force Base in Florida is home to the headquarters of the U.S. Special Operations Command and Central Command. The US Southern Command is also headquartered in Florida, at a location in Miami. In early 2025, the FBI said that the driver involved in the New Year's Eve car-ramming attack in New Orleans, which killed 14 people, had an Islamic State flag in his vehicle. What People Are Saying The letter states: "This message is to inform you of a recent 'Duty to Warn' notification regarding a potential terrorist threat targeting retired senior officials who previously served in the Department of Defense with roles in the Syria/Iraq theater. The current geographic focus of this threat is Florida." Colonel Allie Weiskopf, U.S. Special Operations Command director of public affairs, told Newsweek: "We can't name specific people or terrorist organizations, and we always encourage our service members and retirees to be vigilant." Colonel Allie Scott told Task & Purpose: "I would say that there was information that was credible enough to provide this level of reporting to our formation." Scott further explained: "We issued that warning, as we do with all credible threats, we issued those to our formations because, of course, the security and safety of all our personnel is important." What Happens Next Retired military personnel living in Florida should report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Other personnel should remain vigilant, the letter states.
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Florida hit by terrorist threat against retired commanders
Retired US special forces operatives living in Florida have been warned they could be targets of a credible terrorist threat, in a chilling alert issued by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The alarming notice — which has been shared on social media — was quietly circulated to former senior military personnel who served in Iraq and Syria, and specifically cautioned those now residing in the Sunshine State. While officials declined to identify the terrorist group or country of origin behind the threat, the warning was deemed serious enough to warrant a 'duty to warn' notification. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command, told the New York Times that such notifications are not uncommon, and issued when there's credible information that retired service members could be in danger. She declined to provide additional details, citing operational sensitivity. The warnings are usually issued when there is intelligence relating to a potential threat of intentional killing, serious bodily harm, or kidnapping, and when the cost to alerting those in danger is low. The threat does not apply to active-duty special operations personnel, but they were advised to stay alert both on and off base, and to immediately report any suspicious behavior. The provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, who signed the warning, urged current troops to inform any retired comrades living in Florida of the situation and to remain vigilant. 'We encourage all personnel to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities,' says the alert. Florida is home to thousands of retired elite military personnel, many of whom settled there after serving with the Tampa-based US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). Pictured: Members assigned to U.S. Special Operations Command execute a simulated rescue mission during a Special Operations Forces (SOF) demonstration in Downtown Tampa, Florida, May 18, 2022. That was the nerve center for missions against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terror networks in the Middle East. US commandos have played a key role in clandestine raids, drone strikes, and counterterror operations in Iraq and Syria for decades, often anonymously, due to fears of retaliation. The Pentagon has long acknowledged the possibility of foreign actors or jihadist networks seeking revenge against American forces — even on US soil. Andrew Sullivan, the executive director of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that supports locals who assisted America's War on Terror, said ex-service members faced 'urgent and dire' dangers. 'The terrorist threat emanating from Syria is so strong that some retired American veterans in Florida are at risk of reprisal because of their service in Syria or Iraq,' Sullivan posted on social media. The nature of this latest threat remains unclear, but the warning has raised eyebrows in security circles and renewed concerns about the long arm of extremist groups seeking payback for US military campaigns abroad. Military sources say anyone connected to past operations — whether officers, contractors, or retired advisors — should now be on high alert. For those who served in the shadows, the war may not be over.
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Florida hit by 'credible' terrorist threat as retired Pentagon commanders are warned they could be 'targets'
Retired US special forces operatives living in Florida have been warned they could be targets of a credible terrorist threat, in a chilling alert issued by the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). The alarming notice — which has been shared on social media — was quietly circulated to former senior military personnel who served in Iraq and Syria, and specifically cautioned those now residing in the Sunshine State. While officials declined to identify the terrorist group or country of origin behind the threat, the warning was deemed serious enough to warrant a 'duty to warn' notification. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for the command, told the New York Times that such notifications are not uncommon, and issued when there's credible information that retired service members could be in danger. She declined to provide additional details, citing operational sensitivity. The warnings are usually issued when there is intelligence relating to a potential threat of intentional killing, serious bodily harm, or kidnapping, and when the cost to alerting those in danger is low. The threat does not apply to active-duty special operations personnel, but they were advised to stay alert both on and off base, and to immediately report any suspicious behavior. The provost marshal, Col. Mark A. Katz, who signed the warning, urged current troops to inform any retired comrades living in Florida of the situation and to remain vigilant. 'We encourage all personnel to remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities,' says the alert. Florida is home to thousands of retired elite military personnel, many of whom settled there after serving with the Tampa-based US Special Operations Command (SOCOM). That was the nerve center for missions against ISIS, Al-Qaeda and other terror networks in the Middle East. US commandos have played a key role in clandestine raids, drone strikes, and counterterror operations in Iraq and Syria for decades, often anonymously, due to fears of retaliation. The Pentagon has long acknowledged the possibility of foreign actors or jihadist networks seeking revenge against American forces — even on US soil. Andrew Sullivan, the executive director of No One Left Behind, a non-profit that supports locals who assisted America's War on Terror, said ex-service members faced 'urgent and dire' dangers. 'The terrorist threat emanating from Syria is so strong that some retired American veterans in Florida are at risk of reprisal because of their service in Syria or Iraq,' Sullivan posted on social media. The nature of this latest threat remains unclear, but the warning has raised eyebrows in security circles and renewed concerns about the long arm of extremist groups seeking payback for US military campaigns abroad. Military sources say anyone connected to past operations — whether officers, contractors, or retired advisors — should now be on high alert. For those who served in the shadows, the war may not be over.
