The Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, has claimed responsibility for the terror attacks in Brussels this morning. The attacks have killed at least 34 people.
As previously reported, two blasts went off at the Zaventem airport at 7:00 GMT. A third explosion happened at the Maelbeek metro train station. The latest reports say that at least 14 people were killed at the airport, while 20 were killed at the train station.
The New York Times reports that ISIS has now taken responsibility for the attacks on social media and their official Telegram channel. Their statement read:
“Islamic State fighters carried out a series of bombings with explosive belts and devices on Tuesday, targeting an airport and a central metro station in the center of the Belgian capital Brussels, a country participating in the coalition against the Islamic State. Islamic State fighters opened fire inside the Zaventem airport, before several of them detonated their explosive belts, as a martyrdom bomber detonated his explosive belt in the Maalbeek metro station.”
U.S. President Barack Obama, who is currently in Havana, Cuba and was planning a trip to South America, was briefed on the situation in Belgium. He condemned the attacks and called for unity against terrorism.
“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,” Obama said, reports Politico. “We can and we will defeat those who threaten the safety and security of people all around the world.”
The attack came four days after Belgian authorities captured Salah Abdeslam, who is believed to be the only survivor of the attackers responsible for the November attacks in Paris.