The US Warns of Potential Attacks in North Africa

The US Department of State has notified several countries, including Algeria, to remain at a heightened level of vigilance over potential attacks of al-Qaeda against US interests.

The U.S. State Department issued a world-wide caution Tuesday and said that current information suggests al-Qaida or its sympathizers are planning attacks against Western interests in Europe.

 “In Yemen and North Africa,” the department added, “threats against Western targets are high.” “Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen’s franchise, has targeted U.S. interests in the past and al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb has declared its intention to attack Western targets in east Africa.”

U.S. citizens are warned that terrorists could attack soft targets like public transportation systems and tourist-related infrastructure.

“Al-Qaida in many ways is weakened,” thanks to a decade of U.S. counterterrorism efforts, said Matthew Olsen, speaking Tuesday to a Senate panel weighing his confirmation as director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

“We’ve made substantial progress,” but the U.S. must “redouble” its efforts to capitalize on Osama bin Laden’s demise in a raid by Navy SEALs in Pakistan on May 2, Olsen said.

US officials believe al Qaeda and its affiliates in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula are planning terrorist attacks as a form of revenge — and they believe the attacks could be carried out before the 10th anniversary of 9/11.

Security services in Algeria have taken tough measures to secure Western interest, including those of the US, against terrorist attack.

Security has been reinforced around the US Embassy in upper Algiers, and also around hydrocarbons firms operating in the country.

Security authorities have set up a wide security plan in Algiers and other big cities during the holy month of Ramadan, in order to anticipate any potential terror attacks.