The US State Department on Friday issued a travel advisory worldwide in response to the lone wolf attack in Australia that claimed lives of two hostages earlier this week.
In the alert, the state authorities have asked the Americans to remain “extra cautious” while travelling abroad, especially Australia.
The alert read: “The lone wolf attack in Sydney, Australia on December 15, 2014, resulting in the deaths of two hostages, is a reminder that US citizens should be extra cautious, maintain a very high level of vigilance, and take appropriate steps to enhance their personal security.”
The alert, which expires on March 19, 2015 , was allegedly prompted by this week’s lone wolf attack that killed two hostages in Sydney.
The State Department had in August last year issued a similar warning to caution the US citizens of the potential terrorist attacks, specifically in the MENA region.
The tense 16-hour hostage confrontation ended early Tuesday with gunfire when heavily armed police personnel stormed a café located at the heart of the financial center of Sydney. While two hostages and one gunman lost their lives during the attack, four out of the 17 hostages and one cop were injured.
The officials have, however, said that none of the hostages appeared to have been American.