US warns of new attacks in East Africa
Dec 01, 2002
The United States said Saturday it had received information that terrorists attacks similar to the anti-Israeli strikes this week in Kenya could be repeated in Djibouti and Yemen
WASHINGTON, Sunday - The United States said Saturday it had received information that terrorists attacks similar to the anti-Israeli strikes this week in Kenya could be repeated in Djibouti and Yemen and urged US citizens there to boost their security precautions.
In separate statements, the State Department warned that the potential for Kenya-like terrorist attacks throughout East Africa, particularly in Djibouti, and in Yemen was high.
The statements did not identify the source of the threats or the attacks in Kenya, but said that in Yemen there were signs associates of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network were planning new strikes.
Both statements noted the November 28 suicide bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa and the attempted downing of an Israeli jetliner as it took off from Mombasa airport and there were indications that terrorist groups were planning similar strikes.
Meanwhile, Kenyan police on Saturday said they had narrowed their list of people to question about the Mombasa attacks to 10 Pakistanis and Somalis.
Kenyan authorities said they were still holding for questioning six Pakistanis and four Somalis about possible links to Thursday’s bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel and a failed missile attack on an Israeli passenger plane.
The police freed a US woman and her Spanish husband on Saturday after they had questioned them for two days and found no sign they had any role in the attacks, including the hotel bombing that left up to 16 dead.
In a statement covering all of East Africa, the state department said, “The US government has received information, the credibility of which has not yet been confirmed, that similar attacks may also occur in Djibouti.â€
“The Department of State believes that Djibouti is one of a number of countries in East Africa where there may be an increased terrorist threat,†it said.
“Due to the preponderance of threat information, the department believes it prudent to share this information with American citizens so they can make an informed decision in deciding whether to travel to or remain in East Africa,†it said.
The department used nearly identical language in renewing its travel warning for Yemen that urged US citizens to be especially vigilant for surveillance by potential attackers, particularly those affiliated with bin Laden and al-Qaeda.
In separate statements, the State Department warned that the potential for Kenya-like terrorist attacks throughout East Africa, particularly in Djibouti, and in Yemen was high.
The statements did not identify the source of the threats or the attacks in Kenya, but said that in Yemen there were signs associates of Osama bin Laden’s al-Qaeda network were planning new strikes.
Both statements noted the November 28 suicide bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel in Mombasa and the attempted downing of an Israeli jetliner as it took off from Mombasa airport and there were indications that terrorist groups were planning similar strikes.
Meanwhile, Kenyan police on Saturday said they had narrowed their list of people to question about the Mombasa attacks to 10 Pakistanis and Somalis.
Kenyan authorities said they were still holding for questioning six Pakistanis and four Somalis about possible links to Thursday’s bombing of an Israeli-owned hotel and a failed missile attack on an Israeli passenger plane.
The police freed a US woman and her Spanish husband on Saturday after they had questioned them for two days and found no sign they had any role in the attacks, including the hotel bombing that left up to 16 dead.
In a statement covering all of East Africa, the state department said, “The US government has received information, the credibility of which has not yet been confirmed, that similar attacks may also occur in Djibouti.â€
“The Department of State believes that Djibouti is one of a number of countries in East Africa where there may be an increased terrorist threat,†it said.
“Due to the preponderance of threat information, the department believes it prudent to share this information with American citizens so they can make an informed decision in deciding whether to travel to or remain in East Africa,†it said.
The department used nearly identical language in renewing its travel warning for Yemen that urged US citizens to be especially vigilant for surveillance by potential attackers, particularly those affiliated with bin Laden and al-Qaeda.