The United States has warned that insurgents tied to Al
Qaida are planning an attack in Tunisia.
The State Department urged Americans in Tunisia to be alert to
the prospect of an Islamic strike between now and the next three months.
"We received information regarding the possible planning of terrorist
activity in Tunisia," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said on
Wednesday. "And on the basis of that information, we needed to take certain
security precautions."
In an advisory, the department said the attack in Tunisia could be
imminent. The warning did not refer to any timetable or location, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The United States government has strong indications that individuals
may be planning imminent terrorist actions in Tunisia," the department said
in a travel warning. "We have no further information on specific targets,
timing,
or method of attack, or capabilities of these individuals."
The department said attacks could take place on or around dates of
religious significance. The advisory cited the Moulid holiday, which ended
on Thursday.
"U.S. government facilities remain at a heightened state of alert," the
warning said. "Americans in Tunisia are urged to remain vigilant with regard
to their personal security and to exercise caution."
The department urged Americans who live in or travel to Tunisia to
register with the U.S. embassy through the State Department's travel
registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov.
The State Department has offered rewards of up to $5 million for
information leading to the capture and conviction of any of two Tunisian
nationals linked to Al Qaida. The insurgents, both naturalized Canadian
citizens, were identified as Abderraouf Jdey and Abdelaziz Boussora, said to
be involved in plots against the United States.
Tensions have risen in Tunisia amid a crackdown by authorities of
suspected Islamic insurgents. The New York-based Human Rights Watch reported
that Tunis was holding 40 prisoners in isolation in an effort to crush the
An Nahda movement. Tunisia was said to have 500 political prisoners.