MOGADISHU, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- The United States mission in Somalia has directed non-essential American officials to leave capital Mogadishu, due to the risk of terrorist attacks in the Horn of Africa nation.
The mission said in a statement released on Saturday night that the security situation in Somalia is unstable, noting that the threat to all Americans in Somalia remains critical.
"Due to specific threat information against U.S. personnel on the Mogadishu International Airport, the U.S. Mission to Somalia has directed all non-essential U.S. citizen employees to depart Mogadishu until further notice," it said in a statement released on Saturday night.
Militants had repeatedly attacked Mogadishu's international airport complex with improvised vehicle bombs, mortars, and direct weapons fire.
The mission's warning came after the U.S. military conduced two separate airstrikes against militants in northeastern Somalia, where it killed several terrorists.
The U.S. Africa Command (Africom), which is assessing the results of the strikes on Nov. 3, said the first military strikes against the Islamic State (ISIS) occurred at about midnight local Somalia time with the second separate strike occurring at approximately 11 a.m. local Somalia time.
Washington urged all Americans who decide to remain in Somalia to review their personal security plans, take appropriate steps to enhance their personal safety, "remain aware of your surroundings, monitor local media for updates, and maintain a high level of vigilance."
