http://allafrica.com/stories/200810310477.html
“Kenya: Country On Terrorism High Alert”
Nairobi Star (Nairobi)
31 October 2008
Posted to the web 31 October 2008
Nairobi
“Security agencies were yesterday placed on high alert and the border with Somalia was closed for fear of terrorist attacks inside Kenya.
The situation heightened following Wednesday’s bombing attack in northern Somalia where 28 people died. The attack occurred as the IGAD heads of state were meeting in Nairobi.
The alert levels were raised nearly ten days ago following reports that Somali insurgents were planning to attack Kenya which was agreed to train some 10,000 Somali government soldiers and policemen. The insurgents have been fighting to wrest leadership of the country from the interim government.
Yesterday, police at a roadblock on Thika Road seized at least 600 bomb detonators from a bus heading towards Mandera where inter-clan fighting has caused the deaths of more than 28 people.
Security agencies across the country have already sounded the alarm over possibilities of attacks with key government and installations of Western countries being put under heightened surveillance.
Several embassies and the UN headquarters in Gigiri have in the last 48 hours sent out security advisories to their staff even as they intensified security around their compounds.
The Kenya Revenue Authority has also sent an internal memo to staff asking them to be alert to a possible terrorist attack.
Government spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua confirmed the heightened security saying the government was not taking security of its citizens lightly following explosions that rocked Northern parts of Somalia earlier on Wednesday killing more than 28 people.”
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Al-Shabaab has an estimated 3,000 members, and is said by US intelligence agencies to be linked to Al-Qaeda.
Mutua called on members of the public to volunteer information that would forestall any possible criminal activities.”
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Sat Nov 01 2008 13:41:45 GMT-0700 (PDT).
KENYA
August 22, 2008
This Travel Warning is being issued to update U.S. citizens on safety and security conditions in Kenya. The temporary suspension of the United States Peace Corps program in Kenya has been lifted and volunteers have now returned to the country. The U.S. Department of State continues to recommend that private American citizens in Kenya and those considering travel to Kenya evaluate their personal security situation in light of continuing threats from terrorism and crime. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning of March 21, 2008.
Current Situation
Crime and Terrorist Acts
Violent and sometimes fatal criminal attacks, including armed carjackings and home invasions/burglaries, can occur at any time and in any location, particularly in Nairobi. As recently as June 2008, U.S. Embassy personnel were victims of carjackings. In the short-term, the continued displacement of thousands of people by the recent civil unrest combined with endemic poverty and the availability of weapons could result in an increase in crime, both petty and violent. Kenyan authorities have limited capacity to deter or investigate such acts or prosecute perpetrators.
American citizens in Kenya should be extremely vigilant, particularly in public places frequented by foreigners such as clubs, hotels, resorts, upscale shopping centers, restaurants, and places of worship. Americans should also remain alert in residential areas, schools, and at outdoor recreational events, and should avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
Americans who travel to or reside in Kenya are encouraged to register through the State Department’s travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi. The U.S. Embassy is located on United Nations Avenue, Gigiri, Nairobi, Kenya; telephone (254) (20) 363-6000; fax (254) (20) 363-6410. In the event of an after-hours emergency, the Embassy duty officer may be contacted at (254) (20) 363-6170. The Embassy home page is http://kenya.usembassy.gov. Updated information on travel and security in Kenya may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the United States and Canada, or for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. For further information, please consult the Country Specific Information for Kenya and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.
http://counterterrorismblog.org/2008/10/end_of_week_update_on_syria.php
“End of Week Update on Syria”
By David Schenker
(October 31, 2008)
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http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/766wqadi.asp
“Duplicity in Damascus
The complicated relationship between Syria and al Qaeda.”
by David Schenker
10/31/2008 12:00:00 AM
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Since 2002, the Assad regime has facilitated the movement through its territory of al Qaeda fighters bound for Iraq, Jordan, and Lebanon. It has allowed these insurgents to train in Syria and has provided sanctuary to al Qaeda-affiliated killers of Americans. By and large, this policy purchased Syria immunity from attacks. Along the way, however, these terrorists appear to have planted local roots.”
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2119930/posts
http://www.rferl.org/Content/Riot_Fears_Close_US_Embassy_In_Damascus/1336578.html
“Riot Fears Close U.S. Embassy In Damascus”
October 30, 2008
ARTICLE SNIPPET: “Washington has yet to speak publicly about what occurred. But the U.S. media quotes officials as confirming privately that four U.S. helicopters flew into Syria to target a top Al-Qaeda leader operating from the village.
The U.S. sources say troops dismounted from two of the Black Hawks and engaged in a short but fierce firefight with armed men. Among those killed was the raid’s target: a Syrian known as Abu Ghadiya.
Abu Ghadiya, also called Badran Turki Hishan al-Mazidh, has long been identified by Washington as a top Al-Qaeda figure coordinating the movement of militants and funds into Iraq. In February, the U.S. Treasury identified him as one of four major Al-Qaeda operatives living in Syria.
By following Abu Ghadiya’s trail across the border, Washington appears confident that the damage his death will do to Al-Qaeda is worth the outrage in Damascus. The raid is not the first U.S. attack on Syrian soil, but is by far the most visible. Others have been missile strikes or rare cases of crossing the frontier in hot pursuit of insurgents.”
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Note: The following text is a quote:
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_3036.html
Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
This information is current as of today, Sat Nov 01 2008 13:56:45 GMT-0700 (PDT).
SYRIA
April 15, 2008
This Travel Warning alerts U.S. citizens to ongoing safety and security concerns in Syria. American citizens are urged to thoroughly consider the risks of travel to Syria and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Syria issued on September 18, 2007.
A number of terrorist groups that oppose U.S. policies have offices in Syria. Since 1979, the United States has designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism due to its support for organizations such as Hizbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, other extremist groups are present in Syria. These groups have the potential to be either the targets of or perpetrators of acts of violence. On February 12, 2008, an explosion occurred in the residential Kafer Soseh neighborhood of Damascus, killing Imad Moughniyeh, a senior Hizbollah operative. In 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by terrorists armed with guns, grenades, and a car bomb. The Syrian Government has allowed anti-U.S. demonstrations to occur; the latest was on March 3, 2008. Anti-U.S. demonstrations date back to September 2005, some of which have turned violent and led to damage to Western embassies, including the U.S. Embassy.
U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Syria are encouraged to register at the consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Syria. Americans in Syria should exercise caution and take prudent measures to maintain their security. These measures include being aware of their surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current.
U.S. consular personnel remain available to provide emergency information and services to American citizens. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, is located at 2, Al-Mansour St., Abu Roumaneh. The Embassy telephone number is (963) (11) 3391-4444, fax (963) (11) 331-9678, e-mail: acsdamascus@state.gov. American citizens may register with the Embassy online by visiting https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. Additional information may be found on the Embassy website at http://usembassy.state.gov/damascus.
Updated information on travel and security in Syria may be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from overseas, 1-202-501-4444. Additional details can be found in the Department of State’s Country Specific Information for Syria, and the Worldwide Caution, which are available on the Department’s Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.