Algerian newspaper el-Khabar has reported of a specific al-Qaeda threat to US and British oil companies operating in Sahel and North Africa following US reports that the terrorist network has acquired Russian anti-aircraft rockets during the Libyan conflict.
US security forces have reportedly sent an email to US embassies in the Sahel Region and North Africa, in addition to oil companies operating in these region, after receiving confirmed information that al-Qaeda has acquired huge number of surface-to-air rockets which the group intends to use in attacks on oilfield staff from US and British companies working in the Sahara.
“The email says that terrorists plan to attack these companies, precisely planes carrying the staff working in the oil fields,” the newspaper quoted a source.
The newspaper said that the terrorists aim to target mainly staff rather than oil field infrastructure. The newspaper also said that major services companies operating in the drilling and the exploration sectors have received the email and forwarded it to their security contractors.
The notice has already reportedly spread concern among companies operating in these region, and also those looking to take part in the reconstruction of Libya.
The news paper said the rockets smuggled are SAM7 and SAM5 handheld Russian surface-to-air rockets, capable of shooting down civilian aircraft.
UPDATE: 10.30 18/09/11
The US State Department has since confirmed issuing warnings to US Embassies in North Africa of the potential for civilian aircraft in Algeria chartered by oil companies to be targeted by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb.
A State Department statement issued on 16 September said: “The U.S. Embassy in Algiers received threat information and both the Embassy and the Overseas Security Advisory Council acted quickly to alert potential targets to the threat.”
“The Department’s current travel warning for Algeria “warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Algeria.” When we deem a threat to U.S. citizen safety or security to be specific, credible and non-counterable, we issue an Emergency Message. If a specific, credible threat is targeted to an identifiable group or individual, as was the case in this instance, then we will notify only that group or individual of the threat.”
