Update: Chilling Confession Video from Islamic State Soldier Shot Dead in Brussels After Killing Two, 'Ready to Die for Islam' - Nation on High Alert (Videos)

*Please note that this story is developing, and we will provide updates as new information emerges.

According to reports, Abdesalem Lassoued arrived in Lampedusa in 2011 on a small boat. After residing in Italy for a period, he later traveled to Sweden, but it appears he was subsequently deported from there. In 2016, upon his return to Italy, he was identified in Bologna as having become radicalized, expressing a strong desire to join the jihad and engage in combat. Intelligence services began monitoring his activities. Subsequently, he moved to Belgium. It is possible that yesterday he targeted two Swedish individuals due to his discontent with the country from which he had been expelled.

Ansa.it

——————————————

The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office has confirmed that the individual neutralized this morning and suspected of being the Brussels shooter by the authorities has died. The man was shot in the chest during his arrest. 

TF1 info

———————————————-

Brussels, October 16, 2023 — On Monday evening, a shocking Islamic terrorist attack took place in the heart of Brussels, resulting in the deaths of two individuals and injuries to several others. The assailant, identified as 45-year-old Abdesalem Lassouedm, an illegal Tunisian migrant since 2019 residing in Schaerbeek, had previously drawn the attention of law enforcement due to radicalization.

Prior to the attack, he proclaimed allegiance to the Islamic State in a video.

The Islamic attack occurred near Place Sainctelette shortly after 7 PM when jihadi Abdesalem Lassouedm, on a scooter, opened fire indiscriminately with a Kalashnikov-type weapon. The Muslim, wearing a fluorescent orange vest, was heard shouting the Islamic battle cry, “Allahu akbar,” as he discharged his firearm in multiple directions.

The terrorist can be seen calmly reloading his gun:

According to the federal prosecutor’s office, the initial targets were three people. Two Swedes were killed inside a van, and the taxi driver sustained serious injuries. Subsequently, the attacker purportedly sought a third victim, who sought refuge in a nearby building.

Regrettably, two individuals of Swedish nationality lost their lives in the attack. Both were seen wearing Swedish soccer jerseys, raising concerns as Belgium was scheduled to face Sweden in a soccer match later in the evening at the Roi Baudouin stadium as part of the Euro 2024 qualifying matches. The identities of the victims remain undisclosed, pending notification to their families.

The suspect fled the scene on his scooter while still shouting Allahu Akbar, but not before recording a video in which he proclaimed his association with the Islamic State and took responsibility for the heinous act. In the video, the attacker claimed he had killed the victims to “avenge the Muslims” and declared his readiness to live and die for his religion, Islam.

The Ocam alert level (Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis) has been raised to 4, its highest level, signifying a severe and imminent threat. The federal prosecutor’s office, responsible for handling terrorist cases, has taken charge of the matter.

There have been several videos of the suspect, posted on social networks, that also make reference to the Islamic State and the Caliph of Islam. “We live for our religion; we die for our religion, thank Allah,” he said in one of them.

According to South Info media, Abdesalem Lassouedm, the self-proclaimed Islamic attacker, had earlier posted a message on social media regarding the recent deadly stabbing of a Muslim child in Chicago. In his message, he suggested that if the child had been a Christian, the incident would have been labeled as terrorism rather than a brutal crime.

On his social networks, he was reported to have made a reference to the Hamas-Israel war that was raging in Gaza. He stated, “Yesterday, America had towers, planes, and missiles, and today, Great Britain has all its forces to support the Jews.” The suspect’s Facebook account was accessible until 9:25 p.m. and was then suspended.

Local authorities and law enforcement agencies are trying to apprehend the terrorist and investigate the full extent of his connections and motives. Security measures have been heightened throughout the city, and residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.

The Mayor of Brussels, Philippe Close, tried to reassure the public, stating that “the police services are mobilizing to ensure security in and around our capital.” He further mentioned that he is currently at the crisis center, working alongside the relevant authorities.

Suite à la fusillade à Bruxelles, les services de police se mobilisent pour assurer la sécurité dans et autour de notre capitale en collaboration avec la ministre de l’intérieur @AnneliesVl. Je suis présent au centre de crise avec @michelgoovaerts pour assurer la coordination.

— Philippe Close (@PhilippeClose) October 16, 2023

Prime Minister Alexander de Croo expressed his “deepest condolences to the loved ones of the victims of the cowardly attack in Brussels ”. However, he failed to mention the attacks were motivated by Islam and carried out by a Muslim soldier.

Mes plus sincères condoléances aux proches des victimes du lâche attentat de Bruxelles.

Je suis actuellement avec les ministres de la justice et l’intérieur au centre de crise national.

Nous suivons l’évolution de la situation et demandons aux Bruxellois d’être vigilants.

— Alexander De Croo 🇧🇪🇪🇺 (@alexanderdecroo) October 16, 2023

The president of Reconquête!, Éric Zemmour, has issued a warning about the resurgence of jihad in Europe. He expressed concern that “at the call of Hamas, jihad is returning to Europe. From Arras to Brussels, it can strike anywhere, anytime.”

Sharing his deep sorrow and intense anger, the former presidential candidate believed that “this tragedy, like the others, should never have occurred.” He added, “Shame on the political leaders; they have allowed thousands of our assailants to enter. The blood of the victims is on their hands.”

À l’appel du Hamas, le djihad fait son retour en Europe. D’Arras à Bruxelles, il peut frapper n’importe où, n’importe quand.

Je veux dire ma peine et mon immense colère pour les malheureuses victimes de ce soir, pour leurs proches, et pour la population de Bruxelles.

Ce drame,…

— Eric Zemmour (@ZemmourEric) October 16, 2023

Marine Le Pen condemned the attacks, writing on X (formally Twitter):

This evening, Belgium confronts a new Islamist terrorist attack in the heart of its capital, Brussels.

My thoughts are with the victims, their families, loved ones, as well as the Belgian and Swedish people during this terrible ordeal.

Ce soir, la Belgique fait face à une nouvelle attaque terroriste islamiste, au cœur de sa capitale à Bruxelles.

Toutes mes pensées vont aux victimes, à leurs familles et à leurs proches, ainsi qu’au peuple belge et au peuple suédois dans cette terrible épreuve.

— Marine Le Pen (@MLP_officiel) October 16, 2023

This latest Islamic terrorist attack has sent shockwaves through Brussels and the international community, which is still reeling after the deadly Islamic attacks that claimed the lives of more than 1,400 and injured over 3,200 individuals, carried out by Hamas in Israel.