Germany has warned its nationals against heightened risk of terrorist attacks and kidnappings by the dreaded Islamic State or other militant Islamist groups in over 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The German foreign ministry yesterday issued an "urgent regional security warning" for the nations where radical Islamist groups are active. It referred to the recent threat by IS to attack the interests of those nations participating in the international coalition to fight the jihadists in Iraq and in Syria.

In view of this threat, "it cannot be ruled out that Western nationals in a foreign country could become the targets of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and criminal offences by IS sympathisers," the ministry said. Increased risk of attacks and kidnappings existed in areas frequently visited by Western nationals.