WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. citizens are at risk when traveling to Mauritania because of the increasing threat posed by al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, the State Department said.
The U.S. State Department posted an updated travel warning for Mauritania, citing threats from the North African branch of al-Qaida.
"AQIM continues to demonstrate its intent and ability to conduct attacks against foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens," the warning stated.
The warning advised against traveling to the unpopulated areas of eastern Mauritania and noted that faith-based organizations in the area could be a particular target.
The French government in July declared war against AQIM after its leaders claimed responsibility for the execution of French engineer Michel Germaneau.
Germaneau was kidnapped in April by AQIM in the northern Niger desert near the border of Mali and Algeria. The group claimed it carried out the killing July 24 in response to a July 22 raid against the group in Mali.
The State Department warning said AQIM has a long record of kidnappings and killings in the area.
The group was listed as a foreign terrorist organization in February and has declared its intention to carry out attacks on Western targets, the State Department warning added.
