In January 2002, 15 suspected Islamic militants were arrested in Singapore and accused of having ties to al Qaeda. These suspects were allegedly planning attacks on the U.S. Embassy and American business interests. Less than a week later, authorities claimed to have foiled an al Qaeda plot to attack U.S. navy ships, navy sailors, and the nightclubs they frequented. In September 2002, 21 more Islamic extremists with ties to al Qaeda were arrested.