KUWAIT CITY, Jan 27 (AFP) - The US embassy in Kuwait warned Thursday of the danger of more clashes between security forces and Islamic militants in the oil-rich Gulf state, saying residential complexes for Westerners could be targeted.
"While there have been no new incidents since January 15, we wish to advise American citizens that the possibility of further violent clashes between security officials and militants exists as police continue attempts to locate and arrest individuals connected to the earlier shootings," the embassy said.
Two Kuwaiti security officers were killed and at least four others wounded in two gunfights with suspected Islamic militants on January 10 and 15.
Two suspects were also killed in the clashes.
The US embassy said the group behind the shootings "conducted surveillance of at least one facility known to house a large number of Western civilians, specifically the Alia Ghaliya complex, also known as Fintas Towers.
"Heightened security awareness should be exercised in all residential complexes, as terrorists have specifically targeted a variety of Western housing facilities in the past," the embassy said.
Fintas Towers are twin high-rise residential buildings overlooking the sea in Fintas district, some 25 kilometres (15 miles) south of Kuwait City, mainly occupied by Western expatriates working in the oil industry.
"We repeat our advice that American citizens exercise caution, maintain a low profile and avoid areas where Westerners are known to congregate. Report any suspicious activity to police at emergency number 777 and continue to maintain a high level of security awareness," the embassy said.
The British embassy also warned its citizens of a continued threat to Westerners in the emirate.
"Although a number of arrests have been made, we believe that individuals associated with these incidents are still at large and remain a threat to Westerners and Western interests," the embassy said in a warden message.
"You should review your security arrangements carefully and remain vigilant, particularly in public places. Generally, the community should continue to behave in a way which avoids drawing unnecessary attention or might cause provocation," it said.
Some 12,000 Americans and 9,000 Europeans, mostly Britons, live in Kuwait.
Kuwaiti security forces have arrested about 15 suspected Islamic militants, according to Interior Minister Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Sabah, but an unspecified number, including the group's spiritual leader, are still at large.
"We know that they have not left the country and we know we will arrest them soon," a Kuwaiti security official told AFP on Thursday.
The men are linked to Saudi militant groups and some of them had fought in Iraq against US-led forces, the official said.
Sheikh Nawaf acknowledged last week that the militants belonged to an "organized group," but the country's national guard chief, Sheikh Salem al-Ali al-Sabah, said some of the group were members of Al-Qaeda.
The authorities say they have seized large quantities of arms, ammunition and explosives since the clashes.
Up to 13 of the suspects were referred to the public prosecution on Tuesday and more were expected to be sent later. Local media said at least one of those referred was a woman.
The Al-Qabas newspaper quoted unnamed security sources Thursday as saying the suspects belonged to the "Peninsula Lions" a previously unknown group connected to the Al-Qaeda-linked Saudi organization, the Al-Haramain Brigades.
Parliament is due to hold an emergency session on February 1 to discuss the security situation and rising Islamic militancy.
The government has asked parliament to approve a bill that would give security forces additional powers to search private homes for illegal firearms.

01/27/2005 19:44 GMT - AFP