Islamic group threatens further attacks against USA

11:30 AM

DUBAI - A little-known Islamic group which says it carried out a suicide bombing that killed 17 United States sailors in Yemen has threatened more attacks unless Washington stops supporting Israel.

Qatar's al-Jazeera satellite television said it had received a statement from the Quwat al-Rad' al-Islamiya (Islamic Deterrence Forces) renewing its claim to have bombed the guided missile destroyer USS Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden.

"It said it would continue its jihad (holy war) against the US military presence in the Arab and Muslim world," Jazeera said.

The group "warned the United States against siding with Israel and warned it that it would pay a heavy price" if it continued that policy, Jazeera added.

Another group called Jaysh Mohammad (Mohammad's Army) has also claimed responsibility for the attack.

US officials have said Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, wanted in the United States for allegedly masterminding the 1998 bombings of two US embassies in Africa, was among those being investigated for the bombing.

Investigators have found traces of bomb-making materials in an apartment near the port. The two men who lived there have disappeared.

US officials have said the Cole was being moored in Aden for refuelling, when a boat laden with explosives blew up alongside it.

The blast tore a hole 12 metres by 12 metres in the Cole but did not sink it. A heavy-lift salvage ship will be used to carry the warship to a safe port for repairs.

- REUTERS

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