Indonesian police stand guard as they seal the area after an explosion outside a church in Makassar, Indonesia on March 28, 2021. | Indra Abriyanto/AFP via Getty Images
The U.S. Embassy in Indonesia has issued a security alert for American citizens, asking them to maintain increased security awareness and heightened vigilance at places of worship following a slew of terrorist attacks, including a church bombing on Palm Sunday.
“The U.S. Embassy encourages American citizens in Indonesia to maintain increased security awareness,” reads the notice issued last Wednesday. “Indonesian authorities warn that the terrorism threat level remains high.”
The warning comes after two suspected terrorists attacked a church in Makassar, Sulawesi, on March 28 and after an assailant with an Airsoft gun attacked the Indonesian National Police headquarters in South Jakarta on March 31.
Indonesia churches to celebrate Easter under heightened security christianpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from christianpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Indonesian police stand guard as they seal the area after an explosion outside a church in Makassar, Indonesia on March 28, 2021. | Indra Abriyanto/AFP via Getty Images
The Christian minority in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, will attend Easter service under heavy security following last week’s suicide bombing outside a church carried out by a married couple affiliated with a homegrown terror network that pledged allegiance to the Islamic State.
The southeast Asian archipelago’s National Police spokesman, Rusdi Hartono, told media that all police departments have been asked to be prepared for potential terror attacks against churches during Easter celebrations, according to APF, which also reported that services for Good Friday were held under heavy security.
14 wounded in Palm Sunday suicide bombing at Indonesian church christianpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from christianpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.