Interpol issues alert over al-Qaeda-linked prison breakouts in Pak, Middle East

Interpol has issued a security alert across the world after a series of al-Qaeda-linked prison breakouts in which hundreds of terrorists escaped.

The warning came a day after the US state department issued a worldwide travel warning to American citizens.

It even closed 21 of its embassies over intelligence suggesting that the terrorist network was planning attacks during August.

Britain is also closing its embassy in Yemen for two days due to increased security concerns.

According to the Guardian, in a statement issued from its headquarters in Lyon, France, Interpol urged countries around the world to show increased vigilance, following prison breakouts over the past month in nine countries, including Iraq, Libya and Pakistan.

British nationals have been warned against traveling to Yemen, and those in the country have been advised to leave immediately, the report said.

The report said that the alert warned of that terrorists could possibly attack public transportation systems and other tourist infrastructure.

On 7 August it is the 15th anniversary of the bombing of US embassies in Tanzania and Kenya.

Hundreds of people were killed in the attacks and brought the late al-Qaeda mastermind, Osama bin Laden, to public attention for the first time.