WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. officials Thursday warned public safety agencies outrage abroad over a movie disparaging the Prophet Muhammad could lead to domestic "acts of violence."
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security issued the Joint Intelligence Bulletin, cautioning first responders extremist groups in the United States might "exploit anger over the film to advance their recruitment efforts" and "the risk of violence could increase both at home and abroad as the film continues to gain attention," ABC News reported.
"First responders should remain aware of the potential for spontaneous large crowds and protests that could overwhelm resources and should be vigilant for possible efforts to encourage peaceful protesters to commit acts of violence," the warning said.
The bulletin said authorities have no information about specific threats, but called on "faith-based organizations to promptly report suspicious activities that could indicate preoperational plotting against Jewish, Coptic, Islamic or any other faith-based communities."
Protests spread across the Middle East and northern Africa Thursday two days after militants killed U.S. Ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other U.S. diplomats in Benghazi and protesters tried to storm the embassy compound in Cairo -- with demonstrations in front of U.S. embassies in Tunisia, Morocco, Israel and Sudan, CNN reported. Hundreds of protesters stormed the U.S. Embassy in Sanaa, Yemen.
