US military raises alert level for Europe bases: Reports

WASHINGTON

The U.S. military has raised the alert level of several bases in Europe to its second-highest level, multiple American media outlets have reported.

The American bases, located across Europe, were raised to the "Charlie" alert level, ABC News and CNN reported, both citing unnamed officials.

One U.S. official stationed in Europe said that such a high alert level has not been seen in at least a decade, indicating an "active-reliable threat," the report said.

That level is ordered when "an incident occurs or intelligence is received indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely," the U.S. Army says on its website.

The highest level "Delta" is applied when a terrorist attack has occurred, or one is "imminent."

The U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) did not confirm the status change when contacted by AFP but said: "We remain vigilant."

The Pentagon, meanwhile, said that "due to a combination of factors potentially impacting the safety and security of U.S. service members and their families stationed in the European theater, US European Command is redoubling its efforts to stress vigilance during the summer months."

The U.S. State Department currently advises American citizens in Germany, where the USEUCOM is headquartered, to exercise increased caution due to terrorism.

While no specific threat has been mentioned, European nations have been on heightened alert since gunmen in March killed nearly 150 people outside Moscow, an attack claimed the ISIL terror group.

France has also increased its state of alert ahead of the Paris Olympics, while Germany is currently hosting an international football tournament.