US warns Americans in Sweden of possible attacks in retaliation for Quran burning

(Patria) - The US Embassy in Sweden has warned Americans in that country of possible attacks in response to an incident in which a far-right politician burned the Quran, Reuters reported.

"US citizens are advised to be cautious when visiting public places frequented by large numbers of people," the embassy's security alert on its website stated, warning of possible attacks by unknown perpetrators.

"Gathering places, such as places of worship, may be targeted. Be cautious when you are at and around all diplomatic facilities," the alert said, advising US citizens to avoid crowds and keep a low profile.

The United States has not updated its travel advisories for Sweden, which currently advise Americans to take normal precautions in the country. The protest in Stockholm has drawn sharp condemnation from Turkey, which said Sweden should not have allowed the "anti-Islamic" act, and has halted NATO accession talks with Sweden and Finland.

The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised its citizens in Turkey to avoid crowds and demonstrations.

The US Embassy in Ankara, along with the missions of other Western countries, has also issued security warnings about possible attacks on places of worship, following the incident in Sweden and separate incidents in which the Quran was burned in the Netherlands and Denmark.

The Swedish Security Service was aware of the US warning, said spokesperson Adam Samara, but referred questions to US authorities. Samara added that the service's current assessment is that the threat of attacks remains "elevated" at level three on a scale of five, Reuters reported.