BERLIN , Germany ( CNN ) -- U.S. officials urged American citizens in Germany to keep a low profile and remain wary of their surroundings after the terrorist organization al Qaeda posted a video message threatening attacks in the country . German special police patrol in Berlin last month during a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Benajmin Netanyahu . A State Department travel alert , issued Wednesday , remains in effect until November 11 -- two weeks after Germany holds its federal elections on Sunday . Al Qaeda posted its video threat on the Internet on September 18 , vowing attacks if the elections do not come out the way it wants . The same day , the German government reacted to the video by raising its own alert level and heightening security . The British Foreign Office has also issued an advisory to its citizens living and traveling to Germany . The State Department travel alert asks Americans to keep abreast of news reports and consider the security procedures in place when they visit public places or pick hotels and restaurants . Germany 's interior ministry said earlier this month that the country has noted an increase in threats by al Qaeda and other Islamist groups since the beginning of the year . In the nearly 26-minute video statement , a man identified as Bekay Harrach , using the pseudonym Abu Talha and speaking in German , said that , if the September 27 elections vote into power parties that do not pledge to pull German troops from Afghanistan , there will be a `` rude awakening . '' The speaker called on Muslims living in Germany to stay away from public life during the first two weeks after the elections , implying that any attacks would take place then . The speaker repeatedly criticized German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her support of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan . He also criticized Merkel 's rivals , the Social Democrats , but offered the possibility of a `` peace offer . '' `` If the German people vote for peace , then the Mujahedeen will choose peace with Germany as well , '' he said . `` And with the withdrawal of the last German soldier from Afghanistan , the last Mujahed will also leave Germany . Al Qaeda gives you their word . ''
Al Qaeda terror group posts a message threatening attacks in Germany . U.S. officials urge their citizens in Germany to keep low profile and be wary . Germany 's interior ministers report increase in threats by al Qaeda this year . Message criticizes Angela Davis over wars in Iraq and Afghanistan .