Incident Summary:
Christmas Market Attack:
Five days before Christmas, a car plowed into a crowded Christmas market, resulting in casualties ranging from 9 to 75 years old. The suspect, 50-year-old psychiatrist Taleb Al Abdulmohsen, was swiftly arrested at the scene. The motive behind the attack remains unconfirmed, but Al Abdulmohsen’s previous cryptic message in May hinted at seeking justice for what he perceived as German terrorism. Having moved to Germany in 2006, the Saudi Arabian citizen had expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s immigration policies in recent years and openly criticized its approach towards refugees. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the exact motivation behind the tragic incident.
Waukesha Christmas Parade Tragedy:
On November 21, 2021, a devastating incident unfolded at a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin, where an SUV driver intentionally veered around barricades, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and injuries to over 60 others. The suspect, Darrell E. Brooks, who had previously been out on bond for another offense, posed questions during his trial suggesting a lack of intent in the attack. However, Brooks was eventually convicted on multiple counts and sentenced to life imprisonment, with additional years added to his term. The motive behind the attack remains unclear.
New York City Truck Attack:
On October 31, 2017, a rented U-Haul truck mounted a curb along West Side Highway in New York City, claiming the lives of eight individuals and injuring several more. The driver, Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, a native of Uzbekistan, admitted to being inspired by ISIS videos to carry out the attack with the aim of causing maximum harm to civilians. Following a thorough investigation, Saipov was sentenced to multiple consecutive life terms for his actions, displaying an unrepentant attitude.
Barcelona Van Attack:
In August 17, 2017, tragedy struck the streets of Barcelona, Spain, as a van rammed into pedestrians in the Las Ramblas area, resulting in a devastating toll of at least 14 fatalities and over 100 injuries. The suspect behind the attack, Sayfullo Habibullaevic Saipov, expressed allegiance to ISIS and stated his motivation was retaliation for perceived injustices against Muslims. Saipov received a sentence of multiple life terms for his role in the tragic event.
Barcelona attack: On the busy Las Ramblas thoroughfare in Barcelona, a van crashed into crowds, causing chaos in the popular area filled with cafés, bars, and street performers. Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy labeled the attack as “jihadi terrorism.” While ISIS’ media arm, Amaq, claimed the attackers as “soldiers of the Islamic State,” they did not explicitly take responsibility for the incident.
Charlottesville attack: In Charlottesville, Virginia, during a “Unite the Right” rally, a gray Dodge Challenger driven by James Alex Fields Jr. plowed into a group of counterprotesters, resulting in the death of civil rights activist Heather Heyer. Fields, convicted of murder and hate crimes, admitted under oath to targeting the crowd based on their race, color, national origin, and religion. He espoused white supremacist views and violence against various ethnic and religious groups.
London attack: Three men drove a van into pedestrians on London Bridge before carrying out a stabbing spree at nearby Borough Market, leading to the deaths of eight individuals and injuring over 40. The attackers were shot and killed by police. Authorities identified them as Khuram Shazad Butt, Rachid Redouane, and Youssef Zaghba. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, linking it to radical Islamist affiliations.
Stockholm attack: In Stockholm, Sweden, a stolen beer truck was driven into pedestrians on a busy shopping street before crashing into a department store, resulting in five fatalities and numerous injuries. The perpetrator, Rakhmat Akilov, with ties to extremist groups including ISIS, confessed to committing a “terrorist crime” and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Jerusalem attack: In Jerusalem, Fadi Qunbar plowed his vehicle into a group of Israeli soldiers, killing four and injuring several others. The driver, suspected of having ISIS sympathies, carried out the attack on a popular promenade overlooking the Old City. Israeli Prime Minister Benj
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed concern over the growing threat posed by supporters of the Islamic State, linking a series of terror attacks that have occurred in various countries. Netanyahu stated, “All signs show he is a supporter of the Islamic State. We know there is a sequence of terror attacks, and it’s quite possible that there is a connection between them – from France, Berlin, and now Jerusalem.”
In Berlin, a tragic attack took place on December 19, 2016, when a tractor-trailer plowed into a Christmas market, resulting in the deaths of twelve individuals and leaving at least 48 others wounded. The suspect, Anis Amri, was subsequently killed in a shootout with police in Italy. Video evidence revealed Amri’s allegiance to ISIS, and the ISIS-affiliated Amaq news agency claimed responsibility for the attack, labeling Amri as “a soldier of the Islamic State” targeting nations involved in combating ISIS.
Moving on to Columbus, Ohio, on November 28, 2016, 11 people sustained injuries in an attack at Ohio State University. Abdul Razak Ali Artan, a student at the university, drove a car into pedestrians on campus and proceeded to attack bystanders with a knife before being fatally shot by a university police officer. Authorities linked Artan’s actions to terrorist propaganda from ISIS and the teachings of Anwar al-Awlaki, suggesting he was motivated by a desire to defend Muslims from perceived injustices and interference by the United States.
In Nice, France, on July 14, 2016, a horrific incident unfolded as Mohamed Lahouaiej Bouhlel used a 20-ton truck to mow down crowds gathered to celebrate Bastille Day, resulting in the deaths of 84 individuals and over 200 injuries. Bouhlel was shot and killed by police following the attack. While ISIS claimed responsibility, French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve noted that Bouhlel had no prior militant ties and appeared to have been radicalized swiftly before committing the atrocity.
The interconnected nature of these attacks underscores the global reach of terrorism and the complex motivations driving individuals to carry out such heinous acts. The threat posed by individuals sympathetic to the ideology of the Islamic State continues to be a pressing concern for nations worldwide, necessitating a coordinated effort to address radicalization and prevent further tragedies.
Contributors to this report include CNN’s Brian Todd, Jennifer Arnow, Sandi Sidhu, Ivana Kottasová, Nic Robertson, Matthew Chance, Benjamin Brown, Brad Parks, and Nic F. Anderson. Stay updated with the latest news by creating an account at CNN.com for access to more CNN content and newsletters.
