The American Hospital Association (AHA) and nonprofit Health-ISAC jointly issued a threat bulletin on Thursday warning of a possible terrorist attack targeting U.S. hospitals in the coming weeks. The advisory follows information shared on social media, raising concerns among healthcare organizations and law enforcement agencies.
According to the bulletin, user @AXactual posted on X (formerly Twitter), citing chatter from ISIS-K (Islamic State Khorasan Province) training camps regarding the planning of a coordinated multi-city terrorist attack on American hospitals. The post described advanced plans involving vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), armed assaults, and hostage scenarios aimed at healthcare facilities in mid-tier cities with low-security protocols.
The post was shared by “American Kinetix,” a company claiming ties to the CIA, joint special operations, and combat veterans. The group also reported receiving information on potential pre-attack surveillance conducted at hospitals.
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Currently, no corroborating evidence has been identified to confirm the threat’s credibility, the bulletin noted. However, AHA and Health-ISAC caution that the nature of this post, coupled with its wide visibility, could encourage copycat activity.
“Generally, foreign terrorist groups do not publicize their upcoming attacks,” the bulletin stated. “However, this widely viewed post may encourage others to engage in malicious activity directed toward the health sector, so threats of this nature should be taken seriously.”
U.S. ‘Mid-Tier’ Hospitals Might Be Terrorist Targets
The AHA and Health-ISAC stress that hospitals, particularly those in mid-tier cities, should review their security protocols immediately. Recommendations from the advisory include:
- Conducting Physical Security Checkups
- Bolstering Cybersecurity Measures
- Increasing Staff Vigilance
- Strengthening Law Enforcement Relationships
Several healthcare organizations have already responded to the warning of a possible terrorist attack by increasing security measures. The University of Kentucky Police Department has taken additional steps to bolster protection at UK Albert B. Chandler Hospital, even while stating there is no credible threat to their facilities at present, reports PMG-KY2.
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“We are actively working with federal authorities and monitoring the situation closely,” their statement reads.
MU Health Care has similarly increased security measures across its facilities and encouraged employees to report any suspicious behavior promptly, reports KOMU.
Meanwhile, healthcare facilities in the Dallas-Fort Worth region are closely monitoring the alert, reports the Dallas Morning News. Stephen Love, President of the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council, representing 90 hospitals, has confirmed their collaboration with local law enforcement and reinforced the importance of taking every threat seriously.
