US warns of terrorist threat in Azerbaijan

WASHINGTON – The State Department is warning Americans of a terrorist threat to Western targets in Azerbaijan and urging U.S. citizens to be vigilant in the oil-rich former Soviet republic on the Caspian Sea.

In a security alert issued Saturday, the U.S. Embassy in Baku said there was a "potential for attacks in Azerbaijan, including against American interests." It said the warning was "based on terrorist threat information." It added that that U.S. citizens in Azerbaijan "should remain vigilant, particularly in public places associated with the Western community."

The alert did not elaborate on the nature of the threat or who might be behind it.