ugnet_: Terrorism: US warns of more strikes in Africa-BBC

[Omar Kezimbira]

Sunday, 1 December, 2002, 05:20 GMT US warns of more strikes in Africa Kenyan hotel workers were among those who died The United States has warned that terrorists might be planning to carry out more strikes in east Africa similar to two recent attacks in Kenya which left 16 people dead. The US State Department named Djibouti, where it is establishing a command centre, as one of a number of east African countries where there was a risk of an "increased terrorist threat". Aerial view of Paradise Hotel Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya Also known as the Islamic Union Suspected of downing US helicopters in 1993 Suspected links to al-Qaeda See also: Who are al-Ittihad? Earlier, US officials said they believed a Somali-based Islamic group - Al-Ittihad al-Islamiya (AIAI), also known as the Islamic Union - may have carried out Thursday's attacks against Israeli targets in the Kenyan city of Mombasa. Kenyan authorities are continuing to question 10 people detained in connection with the attacks, after two Westerners were cleared of involvement and released from police custody on Saturday. No link has been established between those detained and the al-Qaeda terror network, which is also suspected of carrying out the attacks on the Israeli-owned Paradise Hotel, near Mombasa, and an Israeli aircraft, Kenyan authorities said. Terror alert The State Department said it had not yet verified the information that more terror attacks might take place, but that US citizens should carefully consider whether to travel to, or stay in, east Africa. : Kenya attacks Click here to see images of the attacks in Kenya Since the 11 September terrorist attacks, the US has stepped up its military and diplomatic involvement in the area. In a separate statement, the State Department repeated a warning to US nationals not to travel to Yemen, which lies across the Red Sea from Djibouti. "The department has received credible reports that terrorists associated with al-Qaeda have planned attacks against US interests in Yemen and... anticipates that threats against American citizens in Yemen will continue," the statement said. Mere condolences will not cut it. Support Kenya, build up her economy and step up her security Mukami, UK Click here to send your comments On Saturday, workers at the Paradise Hotel in Kikambala, returned to the burnt-out resort for a special prayer service for the victims of the attack. As police hunted for clues, Kenyan Government minister Katana Ngala urged Kenyan Muslims to come forward with information. "This is not a witch-hunt. We want to get the culprits and punish them," he told those at the service. Suspects questioned Kenyan authorities say they have detained six Pakistanis and four Somalis in connection with the attacks. The couple said they bore no grudges over their arrest Pakistani diplomats have complained that they have not been given consular access to suspects claiming Pakistani nationality. The Pakistani High Commissioner in Kenya, Hamid Asghar Quidvai, told the BBC it was unclear whether the men were Pakistanis because their documents were issued in the Somalian capital Mogadishu - where there has been no Pakistani high commission for 10 years. A young couple from Florida, who were arrested after checking out of a nearby hotel shortly after the explosion, were questioned for two days before being released. Emerging from a police station, American Alicia Kalhammer and her Spanish husband, Jose Tena pair said they bore no grudges. "There are no hard feelings. We love Kenya," said 31-year-old Alicia. Troublesome border As the investigation into the Kenya attacks continued, US officials said they suspected the involvement of the AIAI, a prominent militant organisation in the Horn of Africa with links to the al-Qaeda network. Somali cleric Sheikh Ali Sheikh Mahmud, who has been linked to the group, said he was "very sorry" about the attack in Kenya, but added that "no-one can ignore the rights of Muslims in this world," Reuters news agency reported. AIAI is thought to have been behind bomb attacks in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in 1996 and 1997 and the kidnapping of relief workers in 1998. Kenya has a long remote border with Somalia which is particularly difficult to police because of incursions by armed bands known as shiftas. Ten years of conflict and instability in Somalia have made weapons easily available in border areas.

WATCH/LISTEN  ON THIS STORY The BBC's Andrew Harding "There is no evidence yet linking these people with al-Qaeda" Kenyan government minister Christopher Obure "The attack appears to have been carefully planned and carefully orchestrated" Israelis targeted Key stories Mombasa in shock Attacks in pictures Israeli PM's response Attack aftermath World outrage Analysis Effect on tourism Al-Qaeda v Israel? Portable missile threat Kenya a soft target Al-Qaeda suspected Threat to economy TALKING POINT Your reaction AUDIO VIDEO TV and Radio reports See also: 23 Nov 02 | Country profiles Country profile: Kenya 29 Nov 02 | Media reports Press highlights Israeli vulnerability 29 Nov 02 | Politics Straw defends advice on Kenya travel 29 Nov 02 | Africa Kenya's press asks 'Why us?' 30 Nov 02 | South Asia Pakistan angered by Kenyan arrests Internet links: BBC Focus on Africa Israeli Foreign Ministry Kenya Government BBC Network Africa The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Africa stories now: Ivorian rebel cities brace for attack Seven die in Angola mine blast Kenya body fee angers relatives World deal for cheap drugs stalls South African men march against rape Police raids across South Africa Eritrean PoWs return home Giving polio the boot in Ghana Links to more Africa stories are at the foot of the page.

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