Is the Islamic State behind a truck attack today in Stockholm, Sweden? Swedish police report that at least 3 are dead after a truck drove into crowds in the city center at Drottninggatan (Queen Street). According to the BBC, one person has been arrested. The truck used in the attack was hijacked earlier in the day.
Shots have also reportedly been fired in another part of Stockholm. It is unclear if the two events are related.
As of now, Swedish police are treating it as a terrorist attack but it’s unconfirmed if it is ISIS. However, ISIS terrorism channels are talking about the attack.
News of possible attack in #Stockholm #Sweden is spreading on key ISIS-linked Telegram channels (Note: No claim for an attack issued by IS)
The attack comes just a day after ISIS responded to President Donald Trump’s bombing off Syria with an attack in the eastern part of the Homs Governorate, Syria. According to the Daily Express, ISIS fighters attacked a Syrian Arab Army base there. It’s been reported that the terror group took advantage of an opportunity to attack the SAA without the fear of a retaliatory airstrike.
Trump bombed Syria in retaliation for Syria’s chemical weapons attack on its own citizens.
Reports of a driver running down pedestrians in Stockhom does fit ISIS’ M.O.
In an ISIS magazine article from November 2016, ISIS suggested to jihadists how to carry out a successful attack as a lone wolf operative. In the article, ISIS said that a lone wolf should use a vehicle to plow into a crowd and to carry a secondary weapon.
Soon after, an ISIS-inspired student carried out vehicular attack on Ohio State University. The perpetrator, Somali-born Abdul Razak Ali Artan, also carried a machete. ISIS later claimed the attack and named Artan as one of their “soldiers.”
A similar attack claimed by ISIS was carried out on July 14, 2016 at a Bastille Day celebration in Nice, France by Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel. Bouhlel is responsible for murdering up to 84 people by ramming into them with a truck and shooting at them.
Another vehicular attack was carried out on a Christmas market that killed 12 and injured 48 at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin-Charlottenburg, Germany. The Islamic State also claimed this attack.
More recently, ISIS claimed an attack on pedestrians on a bridge in London. The attack was carried out by Khalid Masood, 52, a middle-aged father who converted to Islam. Three people were killed by Masood in the attack.
Heavy is an independent news organization. We report acts of terror and violence so that the public may be fully informed. This may include content considered graphic, which is identified. We do not support, in any way, the individuals or organizations involved.