"American Malls: Next 'Ground Zero'?"

In a video released over the weekend, terrorist group al-Shabaab called on like-minded individuals to launch terror attacks on American malls.

This is the same al Qaeda-linked group responsible for the Nairobi, Kenya mall assault back in 2013.

Don't remember? Let us refresh your memory: At about noon on September 21, 2013, four masked assailants, carrying AK-47s and grenades, attacked the upscale Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi.

The siege, which lasted 3 days, resulted in 67 deaths and over 175 people wounded.

The Observer, a British newspaper, reported that Kenya had prior intelligence that the attack was coming but was unable to prevent it from happening.

The aftermath? Lots of finger pointing and a massive "blame game", of course. Fast forward to this past Sunday.

Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson warned that al-Shabaab is calling for attacks on shopping malls in the US, Canada and the UK, specifically mentioning the Mall of America in Minnesota.

"I would say that if anyone is planning to go to the Mall of America today, they've got to be particularly careful," Johnson said.

"We're beyond the phase now where these groups would send foreign operatives into countries after being trained someplace."

Apparently, this is the "new phase" in the war on terror: Foreign terrorists use videos to recruit homegrown sympathizers to carry out the dirty work on their own homeland. No passports necessary.

Federal authorities are taking the threat "seriously", said Johnson, who also advised Americans to be more "vigilant," reports The New York Post.

Oh, and if you're planning a little trip to the mall? You might think about wearing some body armor...just sayin'.

A wise man once said: "How do you defeat terrorism? Don't be terrorized." -- Salman Rushdie, author

"Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing and perfect will" --(Romans 12:1-2).

News:

Fox News Channel: EU Parliament member, Nigel Farage, warns US to take hard line against ISIS threat to prevent it becoming "impossible to live as a Christian".

Reuters: Air strikes hit ISIS in Syria after over 300 Christians abducted.

MSM: ISIS Militants Destroy Ancient, "Incredibly Precious" Biblical Artifacts.
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