The U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) has issued a formal warning to retired senior officials who previously served in U.S. Special Operations roles in Iraq and Syria and now reside in Florida, alerting them to a credible terrorist threat. The advisory, known as a “duty to warn notification,” was circulated earlier this week as part of a standard protocol when authorities receive intelligence indicating potential danger to current or former service members.
The threat, according to officials, does not target active-duty personnel but is explicitly focused on those who took part in combat operations against terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda and the Islamic State (ISIS). These individuals played crucial roles in numerous missions spanning years across the Middle East.
Although the alert does not name a specific terrorist organization, group, or country, officials deemed the intelligence credible enough to issue formal warnings. The New York Times first reported on the alert and obtained a copy of the notification, which cautioned recipients to “remain alert to their surroundings, both on and off post, and to report any suspicious activity to appropriate authorities.”
Lt. Col. Allie Scott, a spokesperson for USASOC, confirmed the authenticity of the memo, which has since circulated widely on social media. The notification, signed by USASOC Provost Marshal Col. Mark A. Katz, was formally distributed through military channels.
The message also urged active-duty personnel to notify any known retired special operations forces in Florida and advise them to remain vigilant.
U.S. Special Operations forces have carried out hundreds of classified missions in the Middle East over the past two decades, often targeting jihadist leaders and insurgent networks. Military officials have historically withheld the identities of those involved in such operations due to concerns over retaliatory threats, both overseas and within the United States.
Florida is home to a significant population of retired military personnel, including many from the special operations community. The state also hosts the headquarters of U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa.
Col. Scott noted that such notifications are not uncommon when credible intelligence surfaces but declined to provide further details about the nature of the threat or its origin. She confirmed that those directly affected had already been notified.
As of now, no additional information has been released by federal law enforcement or intelligence agencies regarding potential broader implications or protective actions.
