Posted on 10/26/2003 2:03:15 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (AFP) - The United States on Saturday warned that Islamic extremists are plotting an attack, possibly a suicide car bombing, against a hotel in a specific Baghdad neighborhood that is frequented by westerners.
In a notice to Americans now in Iraq, a State Department consular officer in Baghdad said the US military had become aware of the threat recently but could not pinpoint the targetted hotel.
"The US military has indicated that Islamic extremists intend to carry out a bomb attack against a hotel in the Karada area of Baghdad," said the notice, a copy of which was provided to AFP in Washington by the State Department.
"The hotel is used by westerners," it said, adding that "the specific hotel or timing of the attack is not known."
The notice said there were several hotels in the Karada area used by westerners and stressed that it "should be no surprise" that such buildings were under threat.
Although exact details of the plot were not clear, the notice said that since Islamic extremists appeared to be behind it, it was likely the attack would involve a suicide car bombing.
"Given that the threat is from Islamic extremists, this would suggest a suicide vehicle-based improvised explosive device," it said.
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