US warns of February terror attacks in E Africa

WASHINGTON – The United States is warning Americans of the potential for terrorist attacks in the east African nations of Burundi and Uganda next month, possibly by Somali extremists with links to al-Qaida.

The U.S. embassies in Bujumbura (boo-jum-BURR'-uh), in Burundi, and Kampala, in Uganda, on Tuesday issued near identical alerts to Americans. The warnings say that regional terror groups remain actively interested in attacking U.S. interests in Burundi and Uganda.

The notices name the Somalia-based al-Shabab as a threat during February. Neither alert was more specific.

Burundi and Uganda are the main troop contributors to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Somalia. The peacekeepers are trying to support the weak Somali government in its fight against al-Shabab.

Al-Shabab has claimed responsibility for numerous attacks in Somalia and coordinated bombings in Uganda.