The State Department on Monday warned Americans traveling to Bangladesh that the threat of terrorism there is “real and credible” following a series of attacks claimed by Islamist militants.
The department said was allowing the voluntary departure of family members of U.S. government personnel posted to the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. The embassy remains open, the statement said.
At least five gunmen stormed the Holey Artisan Bakery, a cafe popular with foreigners, and killed 20 customers, including Italians, Japanese, Indians and a U.S. citizen, in a July 1 attack. ISIS said it was responsible for the atrocity.
"The U.S. government assesses that the terrorist threat is real and credible," the State Department said in a statement Monday.
ISIS and al Qaeda have made competing claims for a series of killings of liberals and members of religious minorities in Bangladesh in the past year. The government has dismissed those claims and insists that the violence is homegrown.