Islamic State behind machete attacks on Belgium officers

Islamic State (IS) yesterday claimed responsibility for an attack by a machete-wielding man in Belgium that left two female police officers seriously injured, said the group’s Amaq news agency on Twitter.

Shortly before the claim, Belgian prosecutors had identified the assailant as a 33-year-old Algerian, K B, who had lived in Belgium since 2012, saying that he may have been inspired by terrorism.

The attacker, who shouted “Allahu Akbar” (God is greatest) during the assault on Saturday, was shot by police and died of his injuries. He was carrying a rucksack but no explosives or other weapons were found.