Threat to attack Australian teachers posted on jihadist forum
JIHADISTS are encouraging attacks on Australian teachers working abroad, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised expatriates.
DFAT on Friday night updated its terror threat advice in light of an online forum post, which urged attacks against teachers at international schools around the world.
However, DFAT says it's not aware of any specific information to suggest an attack is being planned.
"A recent posting on a jihadist forum website encouraged attacks against teachers, including Australian teachers, at international schools around the world," the advice said.
"The post does not represent planning for an attack, nor are we aware of any specific information to suggest an attack is being planned.
"We encourage Australians involved with international schools, who may have concerns, to engage with the school to ensure it is aware of the threat and that appropriate security arrangements are in place."
The jihadist post notes the presence of international schools in Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Sudan, Tunisia, Nigeria, Morocco, Malaysia, India, Bangladesh and Indonesia.
It makes specific mention of two schools — in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the suburb of Ma'adi, in Cairo, Egypt — where numbers of teachers at international schools reside, DFAT says.
The new advice follows the federal government last month raising the domestic terror alert level to high.
DFAT reminded Australians that even where attacks may not specifically target Australian interests, Australians could be harmed.
"In the past decade, Australians have been killed and injured in terrorist attacks in Nairobi, Mumbai, Jakarta, London and Bali."
Travel advisories for Australians are available on the smartraveller.gov.au website and are reviewed and reissued regularly.
Australian teachers working abroad targeted on jihadist online forum
