JERUSALEM Ñ Israel has alerted its nationals to be on guard against attacks by the Al Qaida network in
North Africa.
The National Security Council has warned Israelis to avoid
travel to North African and regional states. The council's Counter-Terrorism
Bureau said the Al Qaida Organization in the Islamic Maghreb was seeking to
abduct Israeli and Western nationals.
"Information has been received that the organization intends to
perpetrate attacks, especially abduction attacks, including against
Israelis, in the various Sahel countries in Africa," the council said on
Dec. 23.
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The council, part of the prime minister's office, said AQIM was "gaining
momentum both in its organizing and terrorist activities." In an assessment
that differed with that of the United States, the Israeli agency said AQIM
was expanding operations and seeking to abduct Westerners, including U.S.
nationals.
Israelis were urged to avoid visits to Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali,
Mauritania, Nigeria and Togo. Israel does not have diplomatic relations with
Algeria, regarded as the headquarters of AQIM.
"The NSC Counter-Terrorism Bureau requests Israelis be in telephone
contact with their friends and relatives currently in the aforementioned
countries/areas and update them on the foregoing," the council said.