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Belgian police have launched a citywide manhunt after a gunman, claiming allegiance to ISIS, killed two people in Brussels. The attacker opened fire on a group of Swedish football fans in a taxi near Boulevard d’Ypres, just minutes north of the city’s famous Grand Place, ahead of Belgium’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Sweden.
Disturbing videos captured by bystanders show the assailant on a motorbike stalking and shooting people in public. Other images circulating online depict one victim inside a taxi. Dramatic footage later revealed the gunman, dressed in a fluorescent orange jacket, fleeing on a motorbike, pursued by a member of the public.
According to a Daily Mail report, the alleged attacker, identified as Abdesalem Lassoued, a 45-year-old Tunisian, used the name ‘Slayem Slouma’ on Facebook to boast about the murders, claiming he sought revenge for the killing of a six-year-old US-Palestinian boy. Speaking in Arabic, he celebrated the killings and professed his allegiance to ISIS.
As per a transcript of the attacker’s video message, he said: “Islamic greeting Allahu Akbar. My name is Abdesalem Al Guilani and I am a fighter for Allah. I am from the Islamic State. We love who loves us and we hate who hates us. We live for our religion and we die for our religion. Alhamdulah. Your brother took revenge in the name of Muslims. I have killed three Swedes so far Al hamdoulelah. Three Swedish, yes. Those to whom I have done something wrong, may they forgive me. And I forgive everyone. Salam Aleykoum.”
The victims, Swedish football fans en route to a match, were targeted, leading to the match between Belgium and Sweden being abandoned.
A witness who spoke to LN24 channel described his shock during the incident. “I stood there frozen, I didn’t move. I was shocked by what happened, even now I am still in shock. It was a man who came, pushed me, told me to stop running if I wanted to stay alive,” said the witness, who gave his name as Sulayman.
The Belgian royal palace said it was “shocked” by the shooting.
Brussels terror alert has been raised to level 4, the highest, and citizens were urged to stay home. Eric Van Duyse, the spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office, said the investigation was centering on “a possible terrorist motivation for the shooting” after “a claim of responsibility was posted on social media.” “At this time, no element indicates a possible link with the Israeli-Palestinian situation,” Van Duyse said.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo indicated the attack was likely linked to terrorism and convened an emergency meeting of top Cabinet ministers.
(With inputs from agencies)
Disturbing videos captured by bystanders show the assailant on a motorbike stalking and shooting people in public. Other images circulating online depict one victim inside a taxi. Dramatic footage later revealed the gunman, dressed in a fluorescent orange jacket, fleeing on a motorbike, pursued by a member of the public.
According to a Daily Mail report, the alleged attacker, identified as Abdesalem Lassoued, a 45-year-old Tunisian, used the name ‘Slayem Slouma’ on Facebook to boast about the murders, claiming he sought revenge for the killing of a six-year-old US-Palestinian boy. Speaking in Arabic, he celebrated the killings and professed his allegiance to ISIS.
As per a transcript of the attacker’s video message, he said: “Islamic greeting Allahu Akbar. My name is Abdesalem Al Guilani and I am a fighter for Allah. I am from the Islamic State. We love who loves us and we hate who hates us. We live for our religion and we die for our religion. Alhamdulah. Your brother took revenge in the name of Muslims. I have killed three Swedes so far Al hamdoulelah. Three Swedish, yes. Those to whom I have done something wrong, may they forgive me. And I forgive everyone. Salam Aleykoum.”
The victims, Swedish football fans en route to a match, were targeted, leading to the match between Belgium and Sweden being abandoned.
A witness who spoke to LN24 channel described his shock during the incident. “I stood there frozen, I didn’t move. I was shocked by what happened, even now I am still in shock. It was a man who came, pushed me, told me to stop running if I wanted to stay alive,” said the witness, who gave his name as Sulayman.
The Belgian royal palace said it was “shocked” by the shooting.
Brussels terror alert has been raised to level 4, the highest, and citizens were urged to stay home. Eric Van Duyse, the spokesman for the federal prosecutor’s office, said the investigation was centering on “a possible terrorist motivation for the shooting” after “a claim of responsibility was posted on social media.” “At this time, no element indicates a possible link with the Israeli-Palestinian situation,” Van Duyse said.
Prime Minister Alexander De Croo indicated the attack was likely linked to terrorism and convened an emergency meeting of top Cabinet ministers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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