NAIROBI, Sept. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States has renewed its terrorism warning for East Africa, warning Americans of potential terrorist actions in the region particularly along its coast.

    The US State Department said it was also re-issuing the warning to alert the US citizens on the dangers of maritime piracy near the Horn of Africa and the southern Red Sea near Yemen where a spate of ship hijackings have been recently reported.

    "Supporters of al-Qaida and other extremists are active in East Africa. Americans considering travel to the region and those already there should review their plans carefully, remain vigilant with regard to their personal security, and exercise caution," the US said in an updated public announcement issued Saturday.

    "Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, kidnappings or targeting maritime vessels. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets," it says.

    The alert says increased security at official US facilities has led terrorists to seek softer targets such as residential areas, clubs, restaurants, American commercial interests, and western-oriented shopping centers, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts, and beaches.

    "Americans considering seaborne travel near the Horn of Africa or in the southern Red Sea should exercise extreme caution, as there have been several incidents of armed attacks and robberies at sea by unknown pirates in the last year," it says.

    The US alert was issued as authorities in the breakaway region of Somaliland say they have arrested six militants, including an internationally known al-Qaida member.

    Interior Minister Ismail Aden said the men were all Somalis from Mogadishu.

    The arrests follow an overnight raid on a house in the capital,Hargeisa where three policemen were injured in a shootout.

    Since the attacks on the United States on 11 September 2001, western countries have seen Somalia as a possible safe haven for Islamic militants.

    The Somaliland authorities accuse terror cells based in Mogadishu of carrying out four killings of expatriates in the territory in 2003 and 2004.

    In July, the International Crisis Group think-tank said an al-Qaida cell had been set up in Somalia, which has had no effective government since warlords overthrew the government of Mohamed SiadBarre in 1991.

    "The threat of jihadi terrorism in and from Somalia is real," the ICG said.

    It is believed that those behind the al-Qaida-linked attacks inKenya in 1998 and 2002 got logistical support -- and maybe more --from Somalia.

    Somaliland declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, but its independence is not internationally recognized.

    The US alert also came as the International Maritime Board warned of an alarming increase in piracy in Somali waters and has urged ships to avoid the area. Enditem