The Islamic State group (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for Saturday night’s vehicle and knife attacks in central London, claiming the attacks were carried out by a “detachment” of its fighters.
A brief statement from the ISIS-affiliated news agency Amaq said the attacks at the London Bridge and nearby Borough Market were carried out by a group of its fighters. The claim comes a little over 24 hours after the attack.
“A security source tells Amaq that a detachment of Islamic State fighters carried out the attacks in the city of London yesterday,” the news agency said in a one-sentence statement in Arabic The phrasing indicates that the attack was directed by ISIS and not an attack by individuals who were only inspired by the group.
The Nashir News Agency, another outlet linked to the Islamic State, praised the attack in a poster that showed the Tower Bridge engulfed in flames. “Revenge. No compromise in the security of Muslims,” the poster said.
The attacks began just after 10 p.m. on Saturday when a white van ran over pedestrians on the London Bridge. The vehicle then continued to nearby Borough Market, where three men emerged from the vehicle and began stabbing people.
Seven people were killed and 48 others were injured before the suspects – who were wearing fake explosive belts – were shot dead by police officers. It came less than 2 weeks after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Manchester Arena, killing 22 people. That attack was also claimed by ISIS.
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