Three terrorists murdered 10 magazine workers and two police officers in Paris on Wednesday after the publication satirized Islam, prompting French officials to raise the country's terror alert to the highest level.
Soon after, President Francois Hollande further confirmed that several planned terrorist attacks had been foiled by security forces in recent weeks.
With a manhunt underway to capture the terrorists, it remains unclear whether they acted alone — like Man Haron Monis, who killed two hostages in Sydney, Australia on Dec. 15 — or were carrying out the directives of a larger group such as ISIS or al-Qaida.
Days after the lone wolf attack in Sydney, the U.S. State Department issued a Worldwide Travel Alert that, in addition to describing potential safety threats for those abroad, listed potential terrorist targets within U.S. borders. It was the State Department’s second such statement in a three-month window.
The following is a list of the most likely terrorist targets gathered from government intelligence and major news sources.
1. Americans Traveling Abroad
On Dec. 19, the State Department identified civilian travelers as one of the most vulnerable targets, and encouraged them to enroll in its
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which "gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency."
Examples of American's traveling abroad who've lost their lives at the hands of terrorists include the high-profile kidnapping and beheadings of several American and British journalists by ISIS this fall.
2. American Troops
As the U.S. military continues to launch air strikes against ISIS targets in both Syria and Iraq,
Time magazine reported that "ISIS has been routinely lobbing 'completely ineffective' rounds at the U.S. troops training Iraqi forces at the base north of Baghdad."
The publication went on to say that "With every incoming round, the chances go up that someone on the base is going to be wounded, or worse."
3. Hotels
The State Department has warned that hotels abroad and other places where Western travelers may be in higher-concentration are likely terrorist targets.
In 2008, the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower Hotel in Mumbai, India, was attacked by members of the Lashkar-e-Tayyiba Islamic terrorist group with guns, explosives, and firebombs. During a 3-day siege,
dozens were killed, CNN reported.
4. New York City
Manhattan has long been a target for terrorists around the globe, most notably the World Trade Center attack of 1993, followed by Sept. 11, 2001. Multiple attacks have been thwarted since then.
5. Shopping Areas
The State Department has identified shopping areas as another target.
In early December, an American teacher was stabbed to death at a mall in Abu Dhabi by a suspect wearing a burqa. On Dec. 8, police arrested suspect Dalal al Hashemi, a 38-year-old Emirati citizen of Yemeni origin, in connection with the murder. Authorities said she was inspired by jihadist websites to carry out a "personal terrorist attack" on
random victims, ABC reported.
6. Airplanes
Al-Qaida has issued warnings that it now has developed bombs that are completely undetectable — that don’t use metal and have non-detectable explosives — and likely can bypass airport security. It’s likely that if one terrorist organization has access to such weapons, ISIS won’t be far behind.
7. Churches and Synagogues
On Nov. 18, 2014, two Muslim men attacked Jewish worshipers at the Kehilat Bnei Torah synagogue in Jerusalem. Wielding axes and guns, they killed four. It was one of many terror attacks on houses of worship through the years.
8. Schools
Terror groups regularly train to attack schools. In 2014, school children were abducted by militant Islamist group Boko Haram in Nigeria, and 140 school children were killed by terrorists in Peshawar in north-west Pakistan.
On Tuesday, the BBC reported that, "Terror attacks on schools and colleges around the world have risen to higher levels than at any point in more than 40 years, according to a long-term analysis of global terrorism."
9. London
In July of 2005, four British Muslim terrorists suicide bombed the London subway system and a double-decker bus, killing 52 civilians. As one of the most influential cities in the world, London will always be a prime terror target.
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