Al-Shabaab says it may seek to replicate its deadly 2013 Nairobi mall attack in Minnesota.
Mall of America / Via mallofamerica.com
Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson on Sunday said he is concerned over a terror threat made by an al-Qaeda affiliate group against Western shopping centers, including Minnesota's Mall of America.
The Somali Islamist group al-Shabaab on Saturday released a video recalling their 2013 attack on Nairobi's Westgate shopping mall, in which gunmen killed 63 people.
In the video, a man speaking English and wearing a scarf over his face threatens similar attacks in England, Canada, and the U.S.
"Westgate was just the beginning, and with all hopes of peace forever dashed," the man says. "What if such an attack was to occur in the Mall of America in Minnesota?"
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Speaking to CNN on Sunday, Secretary Johnson urged shoppers to be "vigilant."
"If anyone is planning to go to the Mall of America today, they've got to be particularly careful," Johnson said.
"There will be enhanced security there, but public vigilance, public awareness and public caution in situations like this is particularly important, and it's the environment we're in, frankly."
However, the secretary also said people should not let the terror threat intrude on their lives.
"Americans should still feel that they are free to associate, they are free to go to public gatherings," he said, "but it's critical that we have public awareness and public participation in our efforts."
SOURCE: BuzzFeed
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