WASHINGTON — The United States has warned that Al Qaida is preparing another major strike in Algeria after last month's suicide attack on UN offices.
The U.S. warning was issued hours after Al Qaida sites posted
instructions on how to attack the U.S. embassy in Algiers. The posting was
detected by the SITE monitoring group, contracted to issue alerts on Al
Qaida and related groups to the State Department and other government
agencies.
The State Department has warned staffers to avoid travel around Algeria
amid an alert of another Al Qaida strike, Middle East Newsline reporte. The U.S. embassy said Americans
should stay away from public areas, such as restaurants and churches, in
Algeria.
"In response to continuing indications of possible terrorist attacks in
Algiers, the [U.S.] embassy has instructed its employees to avoid
non-essential movement around the city until further notice, and may
occasionally restrict movement completely," the embassy said in a message on
Jan. 18.
The U.S. embassy warning was echoed by Western diplomats in Algeria. The
United Nations, targeted by Al Qaida in a double-suicide bombing on Dec. 11,
has ordered its employees to stay home.
The UN has determined that Algeria ignored appeals by the world body to
tighten security around Algiers. The UN appeals came in wake of coordinated
Al Qaida strikes in the Algerian capital in March and April 2007.
"American citizens in Algeria are strongly encouraged to limit their
movements and to avoid places frequented by Westerners such as restaurants,
nightclubs, churches, and schools," the embassy said. "Americans are
reminded to remain alert and adhere to prudent security practices."
