The Islamic State group yesterday claimed responsibility for a weekend attack at a community center near Dallas, Texas, that was exhibiting cartoon depictions of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed — although it offered no evidence of a direct link to the attackers.
An audio statement on the extremist group’s al-Bayan radio station said that “two soldiers of the caliphate” carried out Sunday’s attack and promised the group would deliver more attacks.
The extremists did not provide details and it was unclear whether it was opportunistically claiming the attack. It was the first time that the group had claimed responsibility for an attack in the US.
Photo: AFP
Two suspects in Sunday’s attack at the Curtis Culwell Center in the Dallas suburb of Garland were shot dead after opening fire outside the center.
It was also unclear from the statement whether the group had a hand in the operation, or whether the suspects had pledged allegiance to the group and carried out the attack on their own.
Officials identified the suspects as Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi. They reportedly opened fire on an unarmed security officer outside a contest seeking “the best” cartoon of Mohammed.
Any physical depiction of Mohammed or other prophets is blasphemous in Islam. Drawings similar to those at the Texas event have sparked violence worldwide.
The authenticity of the Islamic State statement could not be independently confirmed, but it was read on al-Bayan radio, which is based in Raqqa, Syria — the “capital” of the self-styled caliphate
“We tell ... America that what is coming will be more grievous and more bitter and you will see from the soldiers of the caliphate what will harm you, God willing,” it said.
Following the group’s claim of responsibility, members and followers celebrated online.
“Let anyone who wants to draw the picture of our Prophet to think one thousand times before doing so, because our hands can reach his neck,” a Twitter user said.
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