The United States warned Wednesday against US travel to Indonesia, believing a series of deadly Christmas eve bombings was only a foretaste of future similar attacks.
"The US embassy has had indications this wave of bombings may continue and that US interests may be targeted," the State Department said in a statement urging Americans to avoid "non-essential" travel to Indonesia and recommended the cancellation of all trips to certain provinces.
The statement, labeled a "travel warning," offered no specifics as to what the "indications" were.
Americans "who must travel to Indonesia, or who are resident there, should exercise extreme caution," the statement said, calling for US citizens to avoid completely travel to Aceh, Malaku, Papua or West Timor.
"Bombings of religious, political and business targets have occurred throughout the country, culminating in a several dozen explosions at churches on Christmas Eve," the statement continued.
On Sunday, at least 14 people were killed when 18 bombs exploded at the homes of priests or churches in eight Indonesian cities, including the capital Jakarta and Pekanbaru in Sumatra's Riau province.
The State Department described the Christmas Eve attacks as a "massive bombing campaign" coming amid difficult political transitions in an Indonesia under pressure of increased anti-American rhetoric and a rise in Christian-Muslim tensions as the Middle East remains in turmoil.
"Events in the Middle East have increased in the possibility of further violence," according to the State Department.
Last month, Washington re-opened its embassy in Jakarta after a two-week closure sparked by "credible" threats to the mission came as US ambassador Robert Gelbard engaged in a war of words with senior Indonesian officials who objected to his criticism of the government.
Wednesday's statement said the embassy in Jakarta might be forced to close again due to security concerns.
Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid has condemned the Christmas Eve attacks as "barbaric" and said earlier Wednesday they were politically motivated but did not offer any indication of culpability.
So far, four suspects have been arrested in connection with the attacks -- WASHINGTON (AFP)
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