ISIS Claims Responsibility for New York Attack

Reports indicate that the Islamic State group, ISIS, has claimed responsibility for the attack on pedestrians and cyclists in Manhattan, New York, on Tuesday, which left eight dead. According to a Friday report by Reuters, the weekly publication 'Al-Naba' affiliated with ISIS stated: 'The driver of the van was one of the caliph's soldiers.' The publication did not provide further details. Sayfullo Saipov, who ran over pedestrians and cyclists in Manhattan, is currently in police custody. The 29-year-old Uzbek citizen was transferred to court yesterday and charged. The perpetrator of the New York attack is accused of supporting ISIS, violence, and destruction of vehicles. The Washington Post reported that, according to the indictment, Sayfullo Saipov told FBI agents that he began planning the attack in New York a year ago and made a definitive decision two months ago to use a rented large van to attack people. Meanwhile, a New York police official stated yesterday that Sayfullo Saipov chose Tuesday for the attack because it was Halloween, and more people would be on the streets, believing he could kill more citizens. Reports also indicate that Sayfullo Saipov was carrying an ISIS flag in the rental vehicle and intended to raise it while driving on the Brooklyn Bridge. The ten-page indictment against Sayfullo Saipov mentions that two mobile phones were found in his rental vehicle containing videos and promotional images of ISIS. Reports indicate that the attacker rented the van at 2:05 PM from a Home Depot store in New Jersey and carried out the attack at 3:05 PM. In the meantime, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, called for the swift execution of the New York attacker in a message on Twitter. Trump stated that Sayfullo Saipov should be 'sentenced to death.' The President emphasized that the judicial system must 'act quickly. Death penalty.' In the attack on Tuesday, eight people were killed and 12 injured. Five of the victims were Argentine citizens who had traveled to New York to celebrate their graduation after 30 years. A Belgian woman and two Americans were also killed in the attack. Following the New York attack, Trump called for stricter background checks for immigrants. The New York attacker has been charged with terrorism.