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| Posted to the web on January 10, 2010 |
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January 8, 2010 (WASHINGTON) — The United States issued a warning on Friday of a threat to air travel between Southern Sudan and Uganda.
Air Uganda plane
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The US embassy in Sudan said Washington has information that “regional extremists” may be targeting flights between South Sudan capital and Kampala.
“The U.S. Embassy has received information indicating a desire by regional extremists to conduct a deadly attack onboard Air Uganda aircraft on this route” the statement issued today read.
Air Uganda operates fights between Juba and Kampala seven days a week
“While the capacity of these extremists to carry out such an attack is unknown, the threat is of sufficient seriousness that all American air travelers should be made aware”.
The statement urged travelers on that route to be vigilant. It comes amid nervousness about violence as Sudan faces a referendum in early 2011 on possible independence for the South.
The United States has long warned its citizens against traveling to Sudan urging them to defer it “due to uncertain security conditions and the possibility of violence and harassment targeting westerners”.
The world has witnessed heightened aviation security on flights destined to the US following a failed bombing attempt on Christmas day aboard a Detroit-bound U.S. airliner blamed on a Nigerian man who U.S. officials believe was trained by al Qaeda in Yemen.
The US announced new measures last week targeting nationals from 14 countries mainly in the Middle East and Africa including Sudan who will be screened be subject to enhanced screening techniques, such as body scans and pat-downs.
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