US warns Americans of travel dangers in Algeria
Advisory comes after deadly standoff between Algerian special forces and Islamist extremists
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This file photo, released by Statoil via NTB scanpix, shows the Ain Amenas gas field in Algeria, where Islamist militants raided and took hostages Wednesday. British Prime Minister David Cameron said Algerian forces are “still pursuing terrorists” and looking for hostages at an oil installation in the Sahara desert. Cameron told lawmakers Friday that Algerian troops were still engaged in an operation to secure a “large and complex site.” (AP Photo/Kjetil Alsvik, Statoil via NTB scanpix, File)
WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department is warning American citizens about the risks of travel to Algeria and is authorizing the families of State Department staff to leave the country if they choose.
The warning comes after the Algerian government reported that special forces stormed a natural gas complex in the Sahara desert to end a standoff with Islamist extremists. Algerian officials say at least 23 hostages and all 32 militants involved were killed.
In its travel warning Saturday night, the State Department cites credible threats of the kidnapping of Western nationals and says there is a high threat of terrorism and kidnappings in Algeria.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.
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