US Military Bases in Europe Step Up Security Amid IS Terrorist Threat

A total of 90,000 personnel will be affected by the additional security measures.

MOSCOW, January 22 (Sputnik) — All US military bases in Europe are to introduce additional security measures following the terrorist attacks in Paris and threats on the part of Islamic State (IS) militants, CNN reported Thursday.

The decision was taken by General Philip Breedlove, the commander of US European Command (EUCOM).

"US European Command directed its component commands to implement additional force protection measures and random security enhancements at facilities across the EUCOM area of responsibility," EUCOM Spokesperson Captain Gregory Hicks said, as quoted by CNN.

The additional security measures will affect 90,000 personnel including 67,000 military.

The measures envisage more security checks of both people and cars entering US bases and restricting activities outside the bases. Military personnel have been ordered not to wear uniform when off duty, CNN reports.

The decision to step up security measures follows IS threats to attack US troops, according to CNN. The most recent of which came in January when IS posted threatening messages having hacked the social media accounts of the US military's Central Command in Florida.

The January terrorist attacks on the Charlie Hebdo satirical newspaper and the hostage taking in a kosher supermarket in Paris claiming the lives of 16 people, have also contributed to the decision to introduce additional security measures, according to CNN.