U.S. warns of threat in Yemen for Tuesday

Protests against the U.S. and Israel are common in Sanaa, including this one by Yemeni women April 9.

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Embassy in Yemen warned Americans in the country Monday it had information about a possible attack on American interests on Tuesday and advised them to take extra precautions.

"The Embassy has received information that a terrorist attack against U.S. interests in Yemen might occur on or about April 23, 2002," a message on the embassy's Web site said.

The advisory said that although there were "no details as to the possible target," the embassy would be taking "a number of additional security measures."

A statement said the embassy in the capital of Sanaa was temporarily suspending visa processing and other services to the public on Tuesday because of the threat and would be providing only emergency services.

It urged Americans in Yemen to "maintain their vigilance and take appropriate steps to lessen their vulnerability," including keeping a low profile, varying their routes and times of travel, and avoiding large crowds and demonstrations.

The embassy also "strongly recommends that American citizens lock all their car doors and keep their windows rolled up when driving" and also register with the embassy, the statement said.

The embassy has been warning Americans to avoid pro-Palestinian protests that have been held in Sanaa. Last month a Yemeni man threw an explosive device at the embassy.

The advisory in Yemen is in addition to the State Department's "Worldwide Caution" advisory for all Americans traveling abroad in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the ongoing war on terrorism.

The State Department has had a separate travel warning in effect for Yemen since March 18.

The warning was based on what the department said were credible reports "that terrorists associated with Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda organization have planned attacks against U.S. interests in Yemen, and the Department anticipates that threats against American citizens in Yemen will continue."

The U.S. believes followers of bin Laden and al Qaeda are hiding in Yemen, despite increased measures by the Yemeni government to crack down on terrorist groups in the country.

In October 2000, the USS Cole was the target of a terrorist attack in Yemen that killed 17 crew members. The United States has blamed al Qaeda for the Cole bombing and the September 11 attacks.