The State Department announced Wednesday that it was renewing a global terrorism alert for United States citizens. The department remains concerned about threats to Americans traveling abroad, and U.S. embassies in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.
The "worldwide caution" alert comes in light of the recent terrorist attack on Nairobi's Westgate Mall on Saturday by al-Shabab, a militant group linked to al-Qaeda. The attack killed at least 67 people, including 18 foreigners. The U.S. Department of State has named the following as possible targets for terrorists:
High-profile sporting events, residential areas, business offices, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, public areas, shopping malls and other tourist destinations where Americans gather in large numbers.
In August, terrorism threats prompted the state department to close over 20 embassies throughout the world, and issue a monthlong travel alert for U.S. citizens. It was the first such announcement since the aftermath of Sept. 11, 2001.