ISIS has claimed responsibility for the bombing at an Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, UK, on Monday night. The attack killed 22 people and left 59 injured.
British authorities refuse to name the attacker, but CBS News reported he was 23-year-old Salman Abedi. Yes, the authorities knew about him before the attack.
Officials continue to sweep areas around Manchester, which resulted in the arrest of one 23-year-old man they did not identify. They also searched an address they believe have links to the bomber.
ISIS has repeatedly call for more attacks against the West, especially at soft targets like concerts and sports events.
Authorities do not know yet if he acted alone or with help from the terrorist group. In previous attacks, the terrorists have claimed allegiance to ISIS while the group took responsibility, but the perpetrators “were not directly supported or guided by the terror network.”
Ariana Grande is a pop star, which means she had a ton of young girls in her audience.
Unfortunately, this means children are among the dead. From The London Times:
The first victims of the attack at the Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena were named as Saffie Rose Roussos, eight, from Leyland, Lancashire and Georgina Callender, 18.
Prime Minister Theresa May condemned the attack at a press conference. From The New York Times:
I have just chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency committee COBR, where we discussed the details of and the response to the appalling events in Manchester last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, and the families and friends of all those affected.It is now beyond doubt that the people of Manchester and of this country have fallen victim to a callous terrorist attack — an attack that targeted some of the youngest people in our society with cold calculation.This was among the worst terrorist incidents we have ever experienced in the United Kingdom. And although it is not the first time Manchester has suffered in this way, it is the worst attack the city has experienced and the worst ever to hit the north of England.The police and security services are working at speed to establish the complete picture, but I want to tell you what I can at this stage.At 10:33 last night, the police were called to reports of an explosion at Manchester Arena, in Manchester city center, near Victoria train station.We now know that a single terrorist detonated his improvised explosive device near one of the exits of the venue, deliberately choosing the time and place to cause maximum carnage and to kill and injure indiscriminately. The explosion coincided with the conclusion of a pop concert, which was attended by many young families and groups of children.All acts of terrorism are cowardly attacks on innocent people, but this attack stands out for its appalling, sickening cowardice — deliberately targeting innocent, defenseless children and young people who should have been enjoying one of the most memorable nights of their lives.
During his meeting with Abbas, President Donald Trump lashed out at ISIS. From Fox News:
“So many young, beautiful, innocent people living and enjoying their lives murdered by evil losers in life,” Trump said. “I won’t call them (attackers) monsters, because they would like that term. They would think that’s a great name. I will call them, from now on, losers, because that’s what they are, they’re losers.”—“The terrorists and extremists and those who give them aid and comfort must be driven out from our society forever,” Trump said. “This wicked ideology must be obliterated.”
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