Another ISIS-sponsored terrorist attack in Europe took place on March 22, when three coordinated nail bombings detonated in Brussels, Belgium. These attacks left dozens of dead and over 300 injured—the highest number of casualties in a terrorist attack in Belgium’s history.
The attacks in Brussels have again thrust forward the question of ISIS’s continued danger into the global spotlight. Following the attack, U.S. President Barack Obama stated, “This is yet another reminder that the world must unite. We must be together regardless of nationality or race or faith in fighting against the scourge of terrorism.” He went on to say that the United States will do whatever it can to help Belgium bring to justice those responsible for these terror attacks.
The bombings took place in an airport and at a subway station, specifically targeting a crowded area of the country’s capital. Three American missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, who were accompanying a fourth colleague, were among those seriously injured in the blasts.
The attacks in Brussels came mere days following the arrest of Salah Abdelslam, an ISIS-affiliated terrorist leader in Europe who participated in the organization of the November attacks in the city of Paris that resulted in the deaths of 130, and injuring more than 350. Abdelslam was working to create a new network of associates in Belgium with a weapons cache before his capture.
Upon news of the attacks in Brussels on March 22 and in Paris in November, ISIS was quick to claim responsibility for the acts of terrorism as responses to the support by European countries for the effort to defeat the terrorist group in Iraq and Syria.
The United States is now supporting Belgium in the investigation of the incident and its alleged perpetrators. In the immediate aftermath of the attacks in Brussels, various social media outlets were filled with statements of support for the people of Belgium from users all over the world.