Nearly 20 years after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the U.S. and Philippine security forces foiled a 9\11 style terror attack against United States. The Philippine security forces have arrested Cholo Abdi Abdullah, a Kenyan member of Al Shabaab, in Iba, Zambales in Philippines, on July 1, 2019 on local charges. Abdullah was transferred on December 15, 2020, to U.S. custody on charges that he conspired to hijack an aircraft and crash it into a tall building in the U.S.
On January 5, 2021, Al-Shabaab's leader, Abu Ubaydah urged his followers to step up attacks against American and Israeli targets and also called for attacks on France for its “crimes” against the honor of the prophet Muhammad. Abu Ubaydah marked the anniversary of the terrorist group’s attack on Camp Simba in Kenya, claiming it was revenge for alleged U.S. crimes against the Muslims of Somalia. He added that it was also part of a series of attacks under the slogan, “Jerusalem will never be Judaized ", launched by Al-Qaeda in response to the Trump administration's decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to the city of Jerusalem.