Special to WorldTribune.com

ABU DHABI — The Islamic State of Iraq and Levant has threatened the U.S. presence in the Gulf.

The U.S. Navy said ISIL could attack Americans and Western facilities in the six countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The navy’s Anti-Terrorism Force Protection cited an online threat from an anonymous supporter of ISIL.

“Extremist groups and individuals continue to circulate information through social media and other messaging avenues to elicit attacks against those targets they deem to be anti-Islam and or Muslim,” the Anti-Terrorism Force Protection said.

The security alert said ISIL could attack Western-sponsored schools as well as teachers in the GCC. The navy did not cite any specific threat.

“[There was an] anonymous posting on a jihadist website encouraging attacks against American and Western teachers at international schools in the Middle East, to include Bahrain,” the U.S. security agency said on Oct. 30.

Several GCC states contain a significant U.S. military presence. Bahrain has been hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet, responsible for maritime security in the region. The U.S. Defense Department operates a school in Bahrain’s Juffair.

“In this case, the message was sent with the belief that these types of attacks will cause foreign diplomats to leave Muslim nations,” the advisory notice said.

  ISIL, ISIL Internet sites threaten American schools, teachers in Gulf, WorldTribune.com