Obama's Reaction to Brussels Incidents: We Will Defeat Terrorists

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, condemned the terrorist attacks in Belgium, stating that Washington will do "whatever it takes to help its old friend and ally." Mr. Obama, who is currently in Cuba, called for a "global alliance to combat terrorism" on Tuesday, March 22, saying, "We can defeat those who threaten the security of people around the world, and we will do so." According to the Associated Press, the U.S. President had previously expressed his condolences to Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in a phone call regarding the terrorist incidents in Brussels. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry also stated in a phone call with his Belgian counterpart that these events highlight the necessity for coordinated pressure and cooperation among countries in the fight against extremism. The airport and a metro station in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, were the scenes of several explosions on the morning of March 22. As a result of these explosions, at least one of which has been declared a suicide bombing, at least 35 people were killed and dozens more injured. Brussels is known as the "capital of Europe" as it hosts the buildings and offices of the Council, Commission, Parliament, and the European Union. The explosions in Brussels occurred just days after the arrest of Salah Abdeslam in one of the city's neighborhoods. Mr. Abdeslam is said to be the mastermind behind the terrorist operation in Paris last November, which left 130 dead and hundreds injured. The Islamic State (ISIS) claimed responsibility for the Paris attacks, which are considered the largest terrorist attacks in the history of France and Belgium.