In a new terror threat video Al Shabaab calls for attack in malls in USA, UK and Canada

In a new video, terror group Al-Shabaab threatened to attack shopping malls in USA, UK and Canada. In the video the terror group threatened to attack The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota, The West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada and Oxford Street shopping area in London.

In a statement The Mall of America said, “We take any potential threat seriously and respond appropriately. We have implemented extra security precautions, some may be noticeable to guests and others won’t be”. The mall authorities in Canada said, they have implemented extra security and are in touch with local and central security agencies. In another statement the US security officials said they are asking the shoppers to be vigilant.

In an interview Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said, “New phase we’ve evolved in terms of the global terrorist threat and what we need to do in terms of counter-terrorism” when he was asked about the video.

He then added, “If anyone is planning to go to the Mall of America today, they’ve got to be particularly careful. 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”.

In an interview with ABC he said, “Groups like ISIL [ISIS], al-Shabaab, AQAP (al Qaeda of the Arabian Peninsula) are now publicly calling for attacks either through the internet, through videos, through publications, which means that we need to respond militarily but we also have to have a whole government approach through law enforcement, homeland security and frankly countering violent extremism efforts here in the homeland in communities. We’re in a new phase now and I’m afraid that this most recent video release reflects that”.

The National Security Council also confirmed that they are working with other agencies like FBI and the local law enforcement to work on extra securities. Ned Price, a spokesman for the National Security Council said, “Protecting public safety and national security is our highest priority”.

Al-Shabaab was responsible for a terror attack in a upscale Kenyan mall in 2013 where 60 people died.