Islamic State, or ISIS or ISIL, terrorists have killed, so far this month, about a hundred people in suicide bombing attacks in Belgium and Iraq, including Americans.
“We will not be intimidated, we will not be deterred,” the New York Times quoted US Secretary of State John Kerry said, speaking to ISIS militants who have struck Paris; Ankara, Turkey; Tunis; San Bernardino, California; and elsewhere. “And we will come back with greater resolve, with greater strength, and we will not rest until we have eliminated your nihilistic beliefs and cowardice from the face of this earth.”
Turning to the people of Belgium, he said, “The United States, I want you to know, is praying and grieving with you for the loved ones of those who have been very cruelly taken from us—including Americans—and for the many who were injured in these despicable attacks.”
The Belgian prime minister, Charles Michel, acknowledged a steady history between the US and European counties, saying, nations have “always been side by side.” Then he added, “I wish also to express my condolences to the American victims.”
The terror attacks at the Brussels airport and metro station on Tuesday resulted in at least 31 deaths and hundreds of injuries, CNN reports, citing officials. Dead are two spouses of US service personnel, whose families have requested privacy and left names unreleased. At least 12 Americans were injured in the attacks, according to the US State Department. Among the injured are three American Mormons, who were said to be dropping off another Mormon missionary at the airport, ABC News reports.
In the Middle East, where Mr Kerry says the hold by ISIS is weakening, suicide bombers at a soccer game just outside Baghdad, Iraq, yesterday killed at least 31 people, including the mayor of the town of Iskandariya in Babil Province. More than 70 people were injured in the attack, which came after a soccer game had concluded. ISIS still controls large areas in northern and western Iraq and parts of Syria.
A suicide bomber also struck in the town of Hilla earlier in March. That attack killed at least 33 people and wounded 115.
