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EDMONTON – Edmonton police are working with Somali-Canadians and other local Muslim groups to protect against terrorist attacks following a video threatening West Edmonton Mall.

Somalia-based terror group Al-Shabab — previously responsible for an attack on an upscale mall in Nairobi, Kenya — posted a video online Saturday encouraging followers to attack a list of shopping centres around the world, including the Edmonton landmark.

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But Edmonton’s deputy police chief Brian Simpson said the threat made in this video is general, not specific, and should not cause Edmontonians to avoid the mall.

“I have to emphasize, I feel West Edmonton Mall is very safe,” he said in a media briefing Sunday.

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“The Somali Edmontonians I know are hard-working, peace-loving, contributing members of our community and I fully expect they would be as offended as other Edmontonians at any suggestion of violence. Edmontonians should feel confident that our city is safe, and that our law enforcement agencies and personnel are working to keep it that way.” — Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson