Man Killed Attacking Israeli Embassy Guard in Serbia; Police Cite Terrorism

A man screaming "Allahu Akbar" was killed by police after attacking a guard outside the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade on Wednesday, Serbian authorities announced. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that the incident is being investigated as a terrorist attack, leading to an elevated national terror threat level and increased police presence at critical locations.

Dacic reported that the assailant was a minor and was armed with two knives. The attack occurred shortly after midnight when the individual assaulted a member of the Gendarmerie, shouting "Allahu Akbar," which translates to "God is great" in Arabic. The police officer sustained a minor facial wound and neutralized the attacker in self-defense.

Images from the scene depicted the guard's booth and the cordoned-off area surrounding the embassy, with uniformed officers present. The attacker is believed to have originated from the western Serbian town of Sabac.

According to Dacic, the attacker had previously displayed support for the Islamic State group on his Instagram account, including a black flag associated with the organization. Serbian security agencies had reportedly been monitoring the individual.

This incident follows closely after Serbia's parliamentary elections held on Sunday, where a youth-led movement unseated the long-ruling party of former President Aleksandar Vucic. However, Vucic and his allies continue to hold control over the police force pending the formation of a new government.

Israel also conducted its parliamentary vote on Tuesday, with exit polls indicating no decisive winner.

This is the second such attack at the Israeli embassy in Belgrade within two years. In June 2024, another assailant attacked a Serbian police officer with a crossbow, an incident that also resulted in the assailant's death by a guard.