U.S. warns of Yemen terror [Archives:2002/49/Front Page]

WASHINGTON (Reuters/Agencies) – The United States warned its citizens on Saturday they could be target of “terrorist” actions in Yemen along with east Africa after two recent attacks on Israelis in Kenya that killed 16 people.
The State Department said it had received information, the credibility of which had not yet been confirmed, that similar attacks might also occur in the nation of Djibouti, which borders Somalia and Ethiopia.
“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 in a public announcement.
A State Department advisory for Yemen released Saturday boosted already strong warnings against travel to Yemen. The statement said U.S. citizens in Yemen should increase safety precautions in the light of what it called credible reports that terrorists associated with the al-Qaida network have planned attacks against U.S. interests in Yemen.
The Pentagon is establishing a command center in Djibouti as it increases the number of U.S. troops in the Horn of Africa from 800 to 1,200 to hunt down militant groups. Many are Marines or elite Special Operations troops and are stationed in Djibouti or on ships in the Red Sea.
The State Department announcements came after a suicide bombing at an Israeli-owned hotel left 16 people dead Thursday in Mombasa, Kenya. Minutes earlier, missiles were fired at a plane carrying Israeli tourists shortly after takeoff.

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