Feds warn ISIS targeting US military personnel

Law enforcement officials are warning U.S. military personnel they could be targeted by the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

A joint bulletin sent early Monday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and FBI urges troops to scour their social media accounts and delete any information that might leave them vulnerable to attack from “violent extremists” or allow such groups to obtain their identities, ABC News reports.

{mosads}”The FBI and DHS recommend that current and former members of the military review their online social media accounts for any information that might serve to attract the attention of ISIL [ISIS] and its supporters,” according to the federal bulletin sent to law enforcement agencies. 

Service members should “routinely exercise operational security in their interactions online,” it adds.

The FBI in particular “recently received reporting indicating individuals overseas are spotting and assessing like-minded individuals who are willing and capable of conducting attacks against current and former U.S.-based members of the United States military,” the bulletin states.

Federal officials told ABC that they feared copycat attacks following incidents in Canada last month that saw two soldiers killed by men believed to be inspired by ISIS.

The attacks in Canada could “embolden” and “motivate” those who support ISIS, law enforcement officials warned.