Terror alert issued by government about ‘imminent’ attack against Spanish citizens in Algeria

THE Spanish Government have issued a warning of the serious possibility of a terror attack against Spanish citizens travelling to the Saharawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria.

Margarita Robles, the acting Defence Minister, confirmed in an interview on Cadena SER radio on Thursday (November 28), that foreign intelligence services operating in the area have passed on information to Spain that indicates that the threat is “real” and “imminent”, with the government subsequently advising people against travelling to the region.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Ministry updated its travel recommendations for Algeria, stating that:

“The growing instability in northern Mali and the consequent increase in activity of terrorist groups in the region may affect security in the area where the Saharawi camps of Tindouf are located, so travel to the region is not advised. ”

Dozens of Spaniards work in the camps situated in south-western Algeria, while many others travel each year to visit Saharawi families and friends. The camps house some 100,000 people who have been displaced, with Islamic State extremists operating in the region.

In October 2011, 2 Spanish volunteers working in the Sahrawi refugee camps were kidnapped by a terrorist group linked to Al Qaeda, with the individuals being released almost 9 months later.

The Sahrawi Democratic Arab Republic (SADR) believe that the warning is not justified by the Spanish government, stating that they “seek once again to create ambiguity and confusion, and even paint an invented image of horror and imminent danger in the Sahrawi refugee camps, after trying to force humanitarian organisations there to stop their activities”.

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Written by

Isha Sesay

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