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Taiwan on alert after Twitter threat of Islamic State attack

Taiwan was put on alert after a social media post suggested the Islamic State was planning to attack the Taipei 101 tower.

Fireworks explode from Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, the Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in Taipei on January 1, 2014.  Photo: Reuters

Fireworks explode from Taiwan's tallest skyscraper, the Taipei 101 during New Year celebrations in Taipei on January 1, 2014. Photo: Reuters

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Taiwan was put on alert after a social media post suggested the Islamic State was planning to attack the Taipei 101 tower.

On Tuesday, the Twitter post #FreeShamiWitness@KhilafahTime showed a picture of the tower under attack and in flames along with the text: “When Islamic State attack your cities it won’t look nice. By the permission of Allah that day is not far.”

Taiwan’s government triggered an emergency protocol following the post. The authorities urged the public not to panic. Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun said on Wednesday: “Government authorities are still verifying the threat and we have launched an emergency mechanism to handle everything.”

A spokesman for Taipei 101 said the building’s management remained in “close contact and were co-ordinating with security and police authorities”.

Taiwan has not been listed as a potential terrorist target by the Islamic State, but it is a close American ally and has offered humanitarian aid to Islamic State victims.

The Twitter account which posted the picture has since been suspended.

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