In a shocking incident that has gripped the heart of Europe, a man unleashed terror on the streets of Brussels, killing two Swedish nationals and injuring another. The assailant, a 45-year-old named Abdesalem as per Belgian media sources, opened fire on civilians in the Belgian capital on Monday evening.
Details of the Attack
The attack began promptly at 19:00 (17:00 GMT) near the Boulevard d’Ypres, a stretch north of the city centre. Disturbing videos shared online displayed a man, noticeable in an orange fluorescent jacket, driving a scooter, pulling up, and shooting indiscriminately at pedestrians. The assailant then pursued his victims into an apartment building, where the haunting sound of four gunshots echoed.
The sinister events took a more disturbing turn when the attacker, speaking Arabic, recorded himself shortly after the incident, confessing to the killings, mentioning his commitment to fighting for God, and explicitly stating he had targeted Swedes.
The Attacker’s End
Following an intense overnight manhunt which saw France amplifying security measures at the Belgian frontier, the suspect was located in a café in the Schaerbeek district of Brussels, thanks to an alert witness. Confronted by the police, he was shot in the chest, succumbing to his injuries despite intensive medical care.
Attacker’s Profile
The assailant is believed to have been a Tunisian national residing illegally in Belgium after a rejected asylum application in 2020. Investigations by Sweden’s prosecutor’s office suggest that he might have been influenced by the extremist views of the Islamic State (IS) group.
Belgium Responds
In the aftermath of the dreadful event, Belgian Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden confirmed the weapon’s identity found on the assailant. Belgium raised its threat alert to its maximum but later reduced it, believing the imminent threat had subsided post the attacker’s neutralization.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo described the incident as a harrowing act of terror, and there’s a prevailing belief that the attacker specifically targeted Swedes.
Swedish Response
Sweden, understandably shaken, has cautioned its citizens in Belgium and elsewhere to remain on high alert. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson voiced his concerns about the targeted nature of the attack against Swedes, announcing his visit to Brussels to attend a commemorative ceremony for the victims.
The scheduled Euro 2024 qualifying football match between Belgium and Sweden was halted, leading to a prolonged wait for around 35,000 supporters at the King Baudouin Stadium before safe evacuation.
Europe on Edge
Despite the termination of the immediate threat, the general sentiment in Brussels and across Europe is of anxiety. The incident in Belgium, coupled with an unrelated but equally alarming attack in France, has heightened concerns about security and the spectre of terror.
UEFA announced that a moment of silence would be observed in all Euro 2024 qualifying matches to honor the victims of the Brussels attack.
Concluding Remarks
As Europe grapples with this new wave of terror, questions are arising about the safety of its citizens and the effectiveness of its security and asylum policies. This tragic incident has rekindled the debate on counter-terrorism measures and the challenges posed by extremist ideologies.
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