Shabaab attack may Ethiopia, U.S. embassy warns

U.S. Embassy

The U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia has warned of a possible attack by Somali militant group al Shabaab and urged its nationals to avoid large crowds and hotels and restaurants in an upscale district of the capital Addis Ababa.

The U.S. embassy in Ethiopia has warned of “a potential imminent terrorist attack” in Addis Ababa by the Somalia-based Al-Shabaab militant group – a warning the Ethiopian government has dismissed, asserting there was “no need to panic.”

“The embassy has received threat reports of Al-Shabab’s intent to target the Bole area [in Addis Ababa],” read a message issued by the embassy.

The capital’s Bole district hosts the city’s airport, several major businesses, hotels, restaurants, cafes and entertainment facilities.

The security warning advises U.S. citizens to avoid restaurants, hotels, bars, places of worship, supermarkets and shopping malls in Bole.

“While the exact location of this planned terrorist attack is not known, U.S. citizens should continue to maintain heightened personal security awareness,” the release added.

In response, Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman Dina Mufti assured the public that the country’s security agencies were capable of foiling any plot.

“There is no need to panic, as the country’s security forces are ready and capable of foiling any terrorist attack,” he told Anadolu Agency.

“Our security agencies have always been vigilant… toward Al-Shabaab’s terrorist threats,” he added. “They have foiled terrorist plans in the past, and they will do the same now.”

Al-Shabaab has repeatedly threatened to attack Ethiopia and other states that support Somalia’s central government.

In 2011, Addis Ababa sent troops to Somalia as part of an African Union peacekeeping force tasked with bringing the Al-Shabaab-led insurgency to heel.

The U.S. embassy issued a similar terror warning in May.

In October of last year, two suicide bombers blew themselves up accidently while preparing to attack football fans who had gathered at Addis Ababa Stadium for a World Cup qualifying match.

Al-Shabaab later claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurred in the capital’s Bole district.

 

Shabaab attack may Ethiopia, U.S. embassy warns