The American Hospital Association (AHA) and the Health Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Health-ISAC) have issued a
joint threat bulletin warning hospitals about a potential coordinated multi-city terrorist attack on hospitals in the coming weeks. On March 18, 2025, the AHA and Health-ISAC observed a social media post about potential coordinated terrorist attacks on U.S. hospitals by ISIS-K, a division of the jihadist group Islamic State. The post was added to the X (Twitter) account of American Kinetix, which claims to be a Christian company in the United States that consists of JSOC, CIA, and combat veterans.
The post said chatter in ISIS-K training camps in Afghanistan confirms planning is in the advanced stages. According to the post, ISIS-K will be using Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (VBIEDs) followed by armed assaults and hostage scenarios. “Intelligence suggests these attacks must occur before Al-Q’aida’s planned aviation/D.C. attack, likely making hospitals a prelude to a larger-scale operation,” explained the post, warning that the attacks are likely to target hospitals across multiple mid-tier U.S. cities, with hospitals targeted since they are critical infrastructure and viewed as soft targets with low security and the potential for significant casualties.
The AHA and Health-ISAC have no information corroborating or discounting the credibility of the threat but say the threat should be taken seriously. They are working closely with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) regarding the threat and will share further information with the sector as and when it becomes available. The AHA and Health-ISAC say foreign terrorist groups do not usually publicize an upcoming attack but there is concern that the widely viewed post may encourage others to engage in malicious activity directed toward the health sector. According to American Kinetix, it has received reports of possible pre-attack surveillance at hospitals.
The AHA and Health-ISAC recommend hospital security teams review their emergency management plans and raise awareness of the potential threat internally with their staff, and for all hospital staff to remain vigilant for suspicious activity, including people and vehicles on organizational premises and in the vicinity of health sector facilities. If the threat is real, there is likely to be reconnaissance and surveillance pre-attack to identify potential targets, so having a visible security presence may mitigate being chosen as a target. If any suspicious activity is identified it should be reported to law enforcement immediately.
. Holy cow, that would be unimaginably horrible. Duke hospital 2 blocks long and 2 blocks deep with 7 conjoined buildings and 5 major entrances, and a big-ass VA hospital is across the street. We also have 2 other hospitals and dozens of clinics, labs, OP surgery, etc, spread out.
