ADVERTISEMENT

ISIS Touts 'Blessed' Brussels Bombings, Threatens Additional Attacks in Europe

ISIS
ISIS militants / AP
April 13, 2016

The Islamic State terrorist group praised its "blessed" Brussels bombings and threatened to strike Europe again in its latest magazine issue dedicated to honoring the jihadists who blew themselves up in the March attacks.

ISIS called four of the attackers "knights" in its propaganda magazine released online last night, profiling Ibrahim and Khalid El Bakraoui as the "key logisticians" behind both the Brussels and Paris terrorist attacks, ABC News reported Wednesday.

"Paris was a warning. Brussels was a reminder," ISIS wrote. "What is yet to come will be more devastating and more bitter."

Khalid was identified as the ringleader of the terrorist cell behind both attacks. He was described by ISIS as a "man of strong character" and "a natural leader," according to ABC News.

The magazine, Dabiq, also applauded Najim Laachraoui as "very intelligent" and confirmed FBI reports that he was the bomb-maker for both the Paris and Brussels attacks.

Laachraoui conspired with the El Bakrauoi brothers to detonated suicide bombs at Brussels Airport and the Maelbeek subway station March 22. The blasts killed at least 35 people.

ISIS also included an obituary for Mohamed Blekaid, who was fatally shot by police after he "assisted the escape of two accomplices during an anti-terror raid in Brussels" March 15, according to the International Business Times.

"Though he had the ability to escape with his team, he decided to make this his final stand and to ensure his brothers a safe exit," ISIS wrote.

One of those who initially escaped was Paris attacks suspect Salah Abdeslam, who was conspiring another strike against the French capital with three others. He was captured March 18 after dumping his suicide vest in a bin. His name along with his reported accomplice Mohammed Abrini, who was arrested April 9, were absent from the magazine.

In a separate article, ABC reported that ISIS threatened "fatal punishment" against top Hillary Clinton aide Huma Abeden and Rep. Keith Ellison (D, Minn). Both are practicing Muslims.

The terrorist group called on jihadists to kill Abedin and Ellison, describing them as "overt crusaders" and "politically active apostates" who "involve themselves in the politics of" disbelievers.