The United States renewed on Monday a travel warning to Central Asia that has been in effect since April this year and said it continues to receive intelligence of terrorist plots in the region.

 

"The U.S. government continues to receive information that terrorist groups in Central Asia may be planning attacks in the region, possibly against U.S. government facilities, Americans or American interests," the State Department said in a statement on Monday.

 

Elements and supporters of extremist groups present in Central Asia, including the Islamic Jihad, Al-Qaeda, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, and the Eastern Turkestan Islamic Movement, have expressed anti-U.S. sentiments in the past and have the capability to conduct terrorist operations in multiple countries, the statement said.

 

U.S. citizens "are reminded to maintain a high level of vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness" in Central Asia, the statement said.

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2006)