US investigating terror attacks for evidence of links

[WASHINTON] US and UK authorities are investigating whether there are links between terror attacks in France, Kuwait, Tunisia and Somalia, intelligence officials said.

There is no clear evidence of coordination so far, the officials said. The attacks may indicate that Islamic State militants have succeeded in using online and other communications to inspire Muslims to attack the group's enemies outside territory it's seized in Syria and Iraq, one US official said, requesting anonymity because the investigation is preliminary.

Islamic State's spokesman, Abu Mohammed al-Adnani, issued an audio message this week urging Muslims to "embark and hasten toward jihad," the official said.

"Oh mujahedeen everywhere, rush and go make Ramadan a month of disasters for the infidels," Mr al-Adnani said in the message.

Authorities are combing through large quantities of intercepted communications, online postings and other data in the investigation, officials said.

BLOOMBERG