Travel Update-Weekly Edition

Miscellaneous

Africa - Israeli security sources reported that Egypt, Jordan and Israel are on high alert for possible large scale attacks by al-Qaeda members in response to last week's killing of Abu Musaab al-Zarqawi, the former group's leader in Iraq whose successor has threatened regional violence and vowed in an Internet message to "defeat the crusaders and Shiites" in Iraq. The sources added that Egyptian, Jordanian and Palestinian Arab intelligence officials have held several meetings the past few days to share information and coordinate anti-terror measures in light of the new threats. Israel has reportedly stepped up border security due to concerns that al-Qaeda could try to penetrate from neighboring territories or attack along the border. It also gathered information that the Popular Resistance Committees, a Gaza-based terror group, is trying to carry out an attack inside Israel to avenge Zarqawi's death and the assassination on the same day of its own leader, Jamal Abu Samhadana, whose followers vowed revenge. Israel's fear of an al-Qaeda-linked attack in Israel also follows the distribution of a pamphlet in Gaza last month by the Islamic Army, an arm of al-Qaeda, announcing it had set up shop in the Palestinian territories and will soon target U.S. nationals and "Zionists."
China - The U.S. Embassy in Beijing issued the following Warden Message on June 9: "The United States Government has received unconfirmed information of a possible terrorist threat against U.S. interests in China, especially in the cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. This threat also may exist for places where Americans are known to congregate or visit, including clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools or outdoor recreation events."
Colombia - On Jun 11, alleged members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group bombed four electrical towers in the Norte de Santander department, located in northeastern Colombia. The bombing, which occurred only eight hours after the towers were repaired from a previous bombing, left 18 municipalities of the Ocaña province, the Catatumbo area and the southern part of the Cesar department without power. Service is expected to be restored sometime on 12 June.
Ecuador - On June 8, the U.S. Consulate in Guayaquil issued the following Warden Message: "The Consulate General has recently learned of several robberies at gunpoint along the hiking trail up Cerro Mandango near Vilcabamba, Loja. Over the past six months and on at least four separate occasions, hikers along the trail have been accosted by a group of armed men wearing ski masks. Although we are not aware of any injuries resulting from these incidents, the robbers have used various intimidation tactics and have patted individuals down and/or undone and opened items of clothing to locate and steal valuables. Those robbed, including American citizens, have lost personal items including passports, money, cameras and watches." Philippines - A pillbox bomb exploded inside of Camp Bagnong Diwa, the police headquarters, in Taguig City, Metro Manila, at approximately 4:40 am local time on June 13. There were no reports of injuries; however, a SWAT van sustained damage as a result of the blast. A group called Taong Bayan at Kawal (People and Soldier) claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was in response to President Gloria Arroyo using the police force as a tool against locals. The group also claims to have perpetrated several recent bombings in the Metro Manila area. Police officials continue to investigate the claim of responsibility and have ordered an investigation into the attack to determine how the bomber was able to enter the police compound. Several media reports question the validity of Taong Bayan at Kawal, suggesting that it may be comprised of one or two members. In response to the recent spate of bombings, security has been increased at Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Additional security checks have been instated and police officers have enacted additional controls around the airport's perimeter.
Ukraine - On June 8, the U.S. Consular Affairs issued the following Warden Message: "In the wake of continuing demonstrations against U.S. military forces participating in joint U.S.-Ukrainian cooperative activities in the Crimean port of Feodosiya, the American Embassy in Kyiv reminds American citizens throughout Ukraine of the continued importance of maintaining high standards of personal security and safety. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations."

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