(JTA) — The U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert for U.S. citizens in the wake of recent terror attacks, including in Paris and Mali.

Blanket alerts such as the one issued earlier this week are rare for the State Department. There have been six worldwide travel alerts in the past 4 1/2 years, the last in July.

“Current information suggests that ISIL (aka Daesh), al-Qaida, Boko Haram, and other terrorist groups continue to plan terrorist attacks in multiple regions. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics, using conventional and non-conventional weapons and targeting both official and private interests,” reads the alert, which expires on Feb. 24.

The alert adds that there also is a threat of “unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis.”

U.S. citizens traveling abroad are urged to be vigilant in public places and on public transportation, and to avoid large crowds or crowded places.

“We continue to work closely with our allies on the threat from international terrorism,” the alert says. ” Information is routinely shared between the United States and our key partners in order to disrupt terrorist plotting, identify and take action against potential operatives, and strengthen our defenses against potential threats.”

The alert does not mention risks on U.S. soil.

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