Intercepted al Qaeda message led to shuttering embassies, consulates

Barbara Starr. Chris Lawrence and Tom Cohen, CNN
Updated 10:05 PM EDT, Sun August 4, 2013

Story highlights

NEW: The U.S. State Department extends closures of some diplomatic posts

An intercepted al Qaeda message led to the closing of embassies and consulates

CNN national security analyst: "Some of this ... is about buying time"

In Yemen's capital, some say warnings about attacks are overblown

(CNN) —  

An intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives in the last several days raised alarm bells that led to the closing of embassies and consulates Sunday across the Middle East and North Africa, CNN has learned.

CNN has agreed to a request from an Obama administration official not to publish or broadcast additional details because of the sensitivity of the information.

Several U.S. officials also emphasized they have been watching growing threats emerging from Yemen for weeks.

Those threats, combined with the coming end of the month of Ramadan, plus the concern over several major prison breaks in the region, all contributed to the U.S. decision to shut down diplomatic installations.

Officials shuttered 22 U.S. embassies and consulates for the day on Sunday amid fears of an al Qaeda attack. On Sunday afternoon, the State Department said it had extended embassy and consulate closures in 15 of the locations until Friday and added four other posts to the list.

“This is not an indication of a new threat stream,” the State Department said, “merely an indication of our commitment to exercise caution and take appropriate steps to protect our employees, including local employees, and visitors to our facilities.”

A recently intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives alarmed the U.S. State Department and led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates Sunday, August 4, across the Middle East and North Africa. On Sunday afternoon, the State Department said it had extended the closures in 15 of the locations until Saturday, August 10, and added four other posts to the list. Click through to see which facilities are affected, beginning with the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, which is closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
A recently intercepted message among senior al Qaeda operatives alarmed the U.S. State Department and led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates Sunday, August 4, across the Middle East and North Africa. On Sunday afternoon, the State Department said it had extended the closures in 15 of the locations until Saturday, August 10, and added four other posts to the list. Click through to see which facilities are affected, beginning with the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan, which is closed for the week.
PHOTO: Jordan Pix/ Getty Images
The U.S. embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was closed August 4 but was scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 5.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh, was closed August 4 but was scheduled to reopen on Monday, August 5.
PHOTO: Rafiqur Rahman/Reuters/Landov
The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyadh will be closed for the week along with the consulates in Dhahran and Jeddah.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital of Riyadh will be closed for the week along with the consulates in Dhahran and Jeddah.
PHOTO: BILAL QABALAN/AFP/Getty Image
The U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman, will remain closed through August 10.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Muscat, Oman, will remain closed through August 10.
PHOTO: Kamran Jebreili/AP
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, is closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, is closed for the week.
PHOTO: MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, was closed on Sunday and reopened Monday. The consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif was also closed and reopened.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, was closed on Sunday and reopened Monday. The consulate in the Afghan city of Mazar-e Sharif was also closed and reopened.
PHOTO: U.S. Dept. of State
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, shown here under construction in October 2007, reopened August 5. The consulates in Basrah and Erbil, which were closed, also resumed normal business on Monday.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message triggers embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq, shown here under construction in October 2007, reopened August 5. The consulates in Basrah and Erbil, which were closed, also resumed normal business on Monday.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, shown here during a demonstration on September 11, 2012, will remain closed.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Cairo, Egypt, shown here during a demonstration on September 11, 2012, will remain closed.
PHOTO: Ahmed Jomaa/UPI/LANDOV
The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, was one of four embassies added to the list of facilities to remain closed for the week. The others were the embassies in Burundi, Rwanda and Mauritius.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar, was one of four embassies added to the list of facilities to remain closed for the week. The others were the embassies in Burundi, Rwanda and Mauritius.
PHOTO: U.S. Dept. of State
The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, is closed until August 10.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, is closed until August 10.
PHOTO: Hani Mohammed/AP/FILE
The U.S. Embassy in Doha, Qatar, is closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Doha, Qatar, is closed for the week.
PHOTO: Osama Faisal/AP
The U.S. Embassy in Algiers, Algeria, closed on August 4 and reopened the next day.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Algiers, Algeria, closed on August 4 and reopened the next day.
PHOTO: U.S. Dept. of State
Officials announced that they would add the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis on the island of Mauritius to the list of facilities that will be closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
Officials announced that they would add the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis on the island of Mauritius to the list of facilities that will be closed for the week.
PHOTO: MyLoupe/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
The U.S Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, will remain closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda, will remain closed for the week.
PHOTO: STEPHANIE AGLIETTI/AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, will remain closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, will remain closed for the week.
PHOTO: U.S. Dept. of State/MCT/Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, will remain closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Manama, Bahrain, will remain closed for the week.
PHOTO: ADAM JAN/AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, reopened August 5.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott, Mauritania, reopened August 5.
PHOTO: SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait, will remain closed for the week.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait City, Kuwait, will remain closed for the week.
PHOTO: STEPHANIE MCGEHEE/REUTERS/LANDOV
The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti will remain closed.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Djibouti will remain closed.
PHOTO: U.S. Dept. of State
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will remain closed along with the consulate in Dubai.
Photos: Embassy closings
Intercepted message spurs embassy closings —  
The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, will remain closed along with the consulate in Dubai.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images

The widespread closure of diplomatic posts is an unprecedented move.

“We’re doing what is necessary to protect our people,” Rep. Adam Schiff, a Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told CNN’s State of the Union on Sunday.

The closures stretch across a swath of Africa and the Middle East – as far west as Mauritania, as far south as Madagascar and as far east as Oman. A U.S. global travel alert is also in place.

As White House and national security officials met to discuss the threat and U.S. military forces in the Middle East were put on a higher state of alert, Interpol warned that al Qaeda has been tied to prison breaks in the region that led to the escape of hundreds of terrorists and other criminals.

It’s unclear what locations are targeted by the apparent terror plot, U.S. lawmakers said Sunday.

“I think we know a lot more about the when than the where. And you can tell that from the breadth of the closures across North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula,” Schiff said. “But the when was very specific in terms of a Sunday. Obviously, that may continue and the closures may continue. The travel warning is more extensive. But this is not the usual kind of chatter, not the more generalized ‘death to the Americans’ or ‘death to great Satan.’ ”

CNN national security analyst Fran Fragos Townsend said there could be a strategic reason for shutting down the diplomatic offices.

“Once you take targets away, it buys you additional time to try and disrupt, to identify the cell, the operators in country and the region, and work with your partners in the region to try and, you know, get them in custody or disrupt the plot,” she said. “So, some of this operationally is about buying time.”

Of particular concern is Yemen, where the government is “on high alert against possible attacks in the days to come,” said a senior U.S. security official.

Official: Security tightened in Yemen

The threat prompted the United States to announce that 22 facilities would be closed on Sunday, including in Yemen, which was a focus of concern.

Britain, France and Germany also closed their embassies in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Sunday and Monday for security reasons. No other embassies are affected, they said.

Western targets under threat

“The threat appears to be much worse than it has (been) in a long time,” said a senior U.S. security official in Yemen.

Various Western targets – not just those tied to the United States – are under threat, two U.S. officials said.

Three sources said the United States has information that members of al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula are in the final stages of planning for an unspecified attack.

One of the sources said such preparations appeared to have increased in recent days, with the approaching end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Sunday is Laylet al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, one of the holiest moments on the Muslim calendar.

Said one U.S. official: “It all leads us to believe something could happen in the near future.”

Rep. Michael McCaul, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday that it was “one of the most specific and credible threats I’ve seen perhaps since 9/11.”

“Because of the specificity, because of where it is coming from, the credibility of it, the level of chatter, it seems to be a fairly large operation,” he said. “It’s giving the intelligence community quite a bit of pause right now.”

U.S. troops led the investigation of the site of a suicide car bombing and a gunfight near the U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, on Friday, September 13. Taliban militants attacked the consulate using a car bomb and guns to battle security forces just outside the compound. An intercepted al Qaeda message led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates across the Middle East and North Africa on August 4. Take a look at other attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in recent years.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
U.S. troops led the investigation of the site of a suicide car bombing and a gunfight near the U.S. consulate in Herat, Afghanistan, on Friday, September 13. Taliban militants attacked the consulate using a car bomb and guns to battle security forces just outside the compound. An intercepted al Qaeda message led to the closing of 22 embassies and consulates across the Middle East and North Africa on August 4. Take a look at other attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites in recent years.
PHOTO: Hoshang Hashimi/ap
A suicide bomb goes off at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on February 1. A security guard was killed and a journalist was wounded in the attack. The Revolutionary People
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
A suicide bomb goes off at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, on February 1. A security guard was killed and a journalist was wounded in the attack. The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front, or DHKP-C, took responsibility for the bombing.
PHOTO: YAVUZ OZDEN/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators set the U.S. Consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Demonstrators set the U.S. Consulate compound in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack.
PHOTO: STR/AFP/Getty Images/File
People flee the scene of a Taliban attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 13, 2011. Three police officers and one civilian were killed. There were no reports of U.S. casualties.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
People flee the scene of a Taliban attack on the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, on September 13, 2011. Three police officers and one civilian were killed. There were no reports of U.S. casualties.
PHOTO: Kuni Takahashi/Getty Images
Officials examine the aftermath of a terrorist attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 5, 2010. The coordinated attack involved a vehicle suicide bomb and attackers who tried to enter the consulate by using grenades and weapons fire. Two consulate security guards and at least six others were killed.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Officials examine the aftermath of a terrorist attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Peshawar, Pakistan, on April 5, 2010. The coordinated attack involved a vehicle suicide bomb and attackers who tried to enter the consulate by using grenades and weapons fire. Two consulate security guards and at least six others were killed.
PHOTO: A Majeed/AFP/Getty Images
Yemeni soldiers carry the coffin of a comrade during a funeral on September 25, 2008, in Sanaa. Heavily armed fighters attacked the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on September 17. A car bomb was detonated, killing 10 Yemeni police and civilians and six attackers.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Yemeni soldiers carry the coffin of a comrade during a funeral on September 25, 2008, in Sanaa. Heavily armed fighters attacked the U.S. Embassy in Yemen on September 17. A car bomb was detonated, killing 10 Yemeni police and civilians and six attackers.
PHOTO: KHALED FAZAA/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives of slain police officers are comforted during a funeral in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 10, 2008, a day after the U.S. Consulate there was attacked. Three police officers and three attackers were killed in what the American ambassador to the country called "an obvious act of terrorism" aimed at the U.S.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Relatives of slain police officers are comforted during a funeral in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 10, 2008, a day after the U.S. Consulate there was attacked. Three police officers and three attackers were killed in what the American ambassador to the country called "an obvious act of terrorism" aimed at the U.S.
PHOTO: BULENT KILIC/AFP/Getty Images
A bomb squad team collects evidence at a construction site where a rocket was launched near the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, on January 12, 2007. The anti-tank missile tore through the embassy, but there were no injuries.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
A bomb squad team collects evidence at a construction site where a rocket was launched near the U.S. Embassy in Athens, Greece, on January 12, 2007. The anti-tank missile tore through the embassy, but there were no injuries.
PHOTO: ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images
A car exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on September 12, 2006. Fourteen people were wounded. Syrian authorities killed three attackers and apprehended a suspect outside the building.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
A car exploded near the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, on September 12, 2006. Fourteen people were wounded. Syrian authorities killed three attackers and apprehended a suspect outside the building.
PHOTO: SANA via Getty Images
A U.S. diplomat and his driver were among at least four people killed on March 2, 2006, in an apparent suicide attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
A U.S. diplomat and his driver were among at least four people killed on March 2, 2006, in an apparent suicide attack outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan.
PHOTO: ASIF HASSAN/AFP/Getty Images
An attack on the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killed nine people on December 7, 2004. A Saudi group linked to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
An attack on the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killed nine people on December 7, 2004. A Saudi group linked to al Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.
PHOTO: STR/AFP/Getty Images
A Pakistani police officer stands guard outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi after a gunman opened fire there on February 28, 2003. Two police officers were killed, and six others, including one civilian, were injured.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
A Pakistani police officer stands guard outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi after a gunman opened fire there on February 28, 2003. Two police officers were killed, and six others, including one civilian, were injured.
PHOTO: Syed Zargham/Getty Images
Family members of a victim who was killed by a bomb a day earlier embrace at a hospital in Denpasar, Bali, on October 14, 2002. A series of bombs killed more than 200 people at nightclubs while another attack occurred near the U.S. Consulate on the Indonesian tourist island. Authorities believe the attacks were coordinated.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Family members of a victim who was killed by a bomb a day earlier embrace at a hospital in Denpasar, Bali, on October 14, 2002. A series of bombs killed more than 200 people at nightclubs while another attack occurred near the U.S. Consulate on the Indonesian tourist island. Authorities believe the attacks were coordinated.
PHOTO: CHOO YOUN-KONG/AFP/Getty Images
A previously unknown militant group called Al-Qanoon claimed responsibility for a bombing that killed 10 people at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 14, 2002. The U.S. State Department says it suspects al Qaeda is responsible.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
A previously unknown militant group called Al-Qanoon claimed responsibility for a bombing that killed 10 people at the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, on June 14, 2002. The U.S. State Department says it suspects al Qaeda is responsible.
PHOTO: Visual News/Getty Images
Police officers stand next to the body of a victim after a car bomb exploded on March 20, 2002, at a shopping center near the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, killing nine people.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Police officers stand next to the body of a victim after a car bomb exploded on March 20, 2002, at a shopping center near the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, killing nine people.
PHOTO: Anibal Solimano/Getty Images
Christopher Sandrolini, the U.S. consul general in Calcutta, speaks with Indian officials outside the U.S. government information center in Calcutta, near the U.S. Consulate, where heavily armed gunmen killed five Indian police officers on January 22, 2002.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Christopher Sandrolini, the U.S. consul general in Calcutta, speaks with Indian officials outside the U.S. government information center in Calcutta, near the U.S. Consulate, where heavily armed gunmen killed five Indian police officers on January 22, 2002.
PHOTO: Bivas Banerjee/Saab Press/Getty Images
Rescue workers stand on the remains of a building in front of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 10, 1998, four days after a deadly attack. Twelve Americans were among more than 200 people killed in nearly simultaneous bombings at U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Rescue workers stand on the remains of a building in front of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 10, 1998, four days after a deadly attack. Twelve Americans were among more than 200 people killed in nearly simultaneous bombings at U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
PHOTO: THOMAS COEX/AFP/Getty Images
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, center, walks past the damaged U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam on August 18, 1998. The August 7 attacks in Tanzania and Kenya were later attributed to al Qaeda.
Photos: Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites
Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites —  
Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, center, walks past the damaged U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam on August 18, 1998. The August 7 attacks in Tanzania and Kenya were later attributed to al Qaeda.
PHOTO: ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/Getty Images
Attackers set the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack. The Obama administration initially thought the attack was carried out by an angry mob responding to a video, made in the United States, that mocked Islam and the Prophet Mohammed. But the storming of the mission was later determined to have been a terrorist attack.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Attackers set the U.S. mission in Benghazi, Libya, on fire on September 11, 2012. The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Christopher Stevens, and three other U.S. nationals were killed during the attack. The Obama administration initially thought the attack was carried out by an angry mob responding to a video, made in the United States, that mocked Islam and the Prophet Mohammed. But the storming of the mission was later determined to have been a terrorist attack.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Obama and Clinton stand at Andrews Air Force Base as the bodies of the four Americans killed are returned on September 14.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Obama and Clinton stand at Andrews Air Force Base as the bodies of the four Americans killed are returned on September 14.
PHOTO: U.S. State Department
A desk sits inside the burnt U.S. mission on September 13, two days after the attack.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A desk sits inside the burnt U.S. mission on September 13, two days after the attack.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Damage is seen inside the U.S. mission on September 13.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Damage is seen inside the U.S. mission on September 13.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
A lounge chair and umbrella float in the swimming pool of the U.S. mission on September 13.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A lounge chair and umbrella float in the swimming pool of the U.S. mission on September 13.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators gather in Libya on September 12 to condemn the killers and voice support for the victims.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Demonstrators gather in Libya on September 12 to condemn the killers and voice support for the victims.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov
U.S. President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on September 12, makes a statement at the White House about Stevens
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
U.S. President Barack Obama, with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on September 12, makes a statement at the White House about Stevens' death.
PHOTO: Getty Images
A burnt vehicle is seen at the U.S. mission in Benghazi on September 12.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A burnt vehicle is seen at the U.S. mission in Benghazi on September 12.
PHOTO: Landov
People inspect the damage on September 12.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
People inspect the damage on September 12.
PHOTO: EPA/Landov
A small American flag is seen in the rubble on September 12.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A small American flag is seen in the rubble on September 12.
PHOTO: Landov
A man stands in part of a burned-out building of the U.S. mission on September 12.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A man stands in part of a burned-out building of the U.S. mission on September 12.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov
Smoke and fire damage is evident inside a building on September 12.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Smoke and fire damage is evident inside a building on September 12.
PHOTO: Landov
Half-burnt debris and ash cover the floor of one of the U.S. mission buildings on September 12.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Half-burnt debris and ash cover the floor of one of the U.S. mission buildings on September 12.
PHOTO: Landov
The U.S. mission is seen in flames on September 11, the day of the attack.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
The U.S. mission is seen in flames on September 11, the day of the attack.
PHOTO: Reuters
A protester reacts as the U.S. mission burns on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A protester reacts as the U.S. mission burns on September 11.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov
A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A vehicle and the surrounding area are engulfed in flames on September 11.
PHOTO: Stringer/AFP/GettyImages
Flames erupt outside of a building on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Flames erupt outside of a building on September 11.
PHOTO: ESAM OMRAN AL-FETORI REUTERS//LANDOV
A vehicle burns during the attack on the U.S. mission on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A vehicle burns during the attack on the U.S. mission on September 11.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Onlookers record the damage from the attack on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Onlookers record the damage from the attack on September 11.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
Onlookers walk past a burning truck and building on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
Onlookers walk past a burning truck and building on September 11.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
A vehicle sits smoldering in flames on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
A vehicle sits smoldering in flames on September 11.
PHOTO: AFP/Getty Images
People duck flames outside a building on September 11.
Photos: Photos: Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi
Attack on U.S. mission in Benghazi —  
People duck flames outside a building on September 11.
PHOTO: Reuters/Landov

Concerns about Yemen

U.S. officials said that based on intelligence, they were particularly concerned about the U.S. Embassy in Yemen between Saturday and Tuesday. President Barack Obama, amid regular updates on the situation, has directed officials to take all appropriate steps to protect Americans.

Hundreds of additional security forces were deployed, and roads leading to the embassy were closed. Checkpoints were set up at a distance from the embassy, and trucks weren’t allowed to pass anywhere near the main embassy road.

Yemen’s special forces, the most elite, were seen in small numbers near the embassy as well.

The UK Foreign Office has also warned its citizens against travel to Yemen, and it urged British nationals to leave as soon as possible.

“If you don’t leave the country now while commercial carriers are still flying, it is extremely unlikely that the British government will be able to evacuate you or provide consular assistance,” it said.

In Sanaa, some said concerns about attacks were overblown.

Wagdi Al-Absi, a university professor based there, told CNN that the threats and warnings are exaggerated.

“Al Qaeda was a real threat and very powerful in Yemen two years ago. Still, embassies did not close,” he said. “Today, when al Qaeda is handicapped, the West considers them a real threat. It’s the total opposite.

“Streets in Yemen are normal, and security forces are always on the watch. That is why al Qaeda attacks in the capital are not common.”

Time of attack unknown

The expected time of an attack is unknown, which explains why a U.S. travel alert extends through August.

“Terrorists may elect to use a variety of means and weapons and target both official and private interests,” the alert states. “U.S. citizens are reminded of the potential for terrorists to attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.”

U.S. Rep. Peter King of New York, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, called the information “the most specific I’ve seen.”

While the principal attention is on the Arabian Peninsula, he stressed to CNN’s Wolf Blitzer that “we can’t rule anything out.”

“We are focused on the Middle East, but it’s a potential series of attacks that really could be almost anyplace,” King said.

U.S. forces on alert

Select U.S. military forces in the Middle East were put on a higher state of alert.

Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel held a series of high-level meetings at the Pentagon “to take a look at what forces we have in the region” that can be used if there is an attack, a U.S. official told CNN.

These forces are at “quite a high state of readiness achieved only a handful of times in the last year,” the official said. He declined to be specific, but two other officials have told CNN that U.S. Navy amphibious ships in the Red Sea last week moved closer to Yemen.

There are also combat-equipped Marines in southern Spain and southern Italy that could begin moving in as little as one hour from getting orders.

The U.S. military has taken similar action in recent months, especially at times of unrest in Yemen and Egypt. These forces in the Red Sea, Spain and Italy have been regularly deployed to these areas since last year’s attack in Benghazi, Libya, when the U.S. military did not have forces nearby.

Unprecedented move

Christopher Hill, a former U.S. ambassador to Iraq, told CNN he had never seen embassy closures ordered across such a broad area.

“There have been incidents where they’ve closed down a number of embassies in the Middle East because the information is not specific enough to say that ‘embassy X’ got to be closed as opposed to other embassies,” said Hill, who joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 1977.

“But I think this, closing all of these embassies in the Middle East to North Africa, is in fact unprecedented. At least, I didn’t see this during my career.”

Concerns after Benghazi

House leaders have been briefed, Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi told reporters, adding that the travel alert and embassy closings provided “some understanding of the seriousness of the threat.”

King, who has also heard such briefings, applauded the government’s decision to close its diplomatic missions.

“I give them credit,” the Republican said of the Obama administration. “I think the government is doing exactly the right thing here.”

Such bipartisan agreement in Washington comes at a time when politicians are still scrutinizing the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consular compound in Benghazi, which killed four Americans, including Ambassador Christopher Stevens.

Since then, Republicans have been pressing Obama’s administration for answers, with some accusing officials of covering up what happened in Benghazi and not doing enough to track down the attackers.

Eight GOP lawmakers are asking that incoming FBI Director James Comey brief Congress within 30 days about the investigation. They say the administration’s inquiry to date has been “simply unacceptable,” according to a draft letter obtained by CNN.

Earlier last week, Vice President Joe Biden and senior State Department officials went to Congress to discuss embassy security.

Biden also briefed congressional leadership, key committee chairmen and ranking members about the latest threat concerns, a source who attended the meeting said.

Another official said the recent intelligence might not have warranted such a response before the Benghazi attack, which created a political firestorm for the administration.

On Thursday, State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the agency was taking the steps out of an abundance of caution.

List of closures

The following U.S. posts will be closed Monday to Friday:

U.S. Embassy Manama, Bahrain

U.S. Embassy Bujumbura, Burundi

U.S. Embassy Djibouti, Djibouti

U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt

U.S. Embassy Amman, Jordan

U.S. Embassy Kuwait City, Kuwait

U.S. Embassy Tripoli, Libya

U.S. Embassy Antananarivo, Madagascar

U.S. Embassy Port Louis, Mauritius

U.S. Embassy Muscat, Oman

U.S. Embassy Doha, Qatar

U.S. Embassy Kigali, Rwanda

U.S. Consulate Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

U.S. Consulate Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

U.S. Embassy Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

U.S. Embassy Khartoum, Sudan

U.S. Embassy Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

U.S. Consulate Dubai, United Arab Emirates

U.S. Embassy Sanaa, Yemen

What’s behind timing of terror threat

Photos: Attacks on U.S. diplomatic sites

CNN found embassy attack suspect before FBI

Capital of Pakistan goes on alert

CNN’s Barbara Starr, Greg Botelho, Michael Martinez, Jill Dougherty, Dana Bash, Evan Perez, Gloria Borger, Jim Acosta, Elise Labott, Mohammed Jamjoon, NuNu Japaridze, Bharati Naik, Karen Smith, Laura Smith-Spark and Hakim Almasmari contributed to this report.