TSA orders Middle East countries to inspect air cargo

The United States has ordered more stringent inspections of air cargo from five Middle East countries, AFP reported Monday, citing a June 2017 attempt in Australia to bring down a plane as evidence that extremist groups continue to target civilian aviation.

The Transportation Security Administration said Monday it had ordered seven airports in Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates to provide advance data on U.S.-bound air cargo to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for vetting before the cargo is loaded.