On Thursday, AlertsUSA subscribers were some of the first in the nation to learn of a mass stabbing attack that had just unfolded near the popular Dam Square in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. In this incident, an unidentified male appearing to be in his 30s began attacking pedestrians on Sint Nicolaas Street with a knife, injuring 5, including an American couple in their late 60s, a 73-year-old Belgian, as well as a Polish and Dutch national.
The attack ended when a British tourist disarmed the assailant and restrained him on the ground until police arrived. The man is being hailed as a hero by city leaders.
Low Profile Urged by US Consulate
Later on Thursday, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a security alert issued by the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam, noting their awareness of the stabbing incident and urging American citizens in the city to exercise caution, avoid large gatherings, and maintain a low profile.
On Friday, Dutch authorities revealed that the assailant used multiple knives in the attack but have yet to give any indication of motive, with the victims appearing to have all been selected at random.
As of the time of this report's preparation Friday evening, all five of the victims are said to be in stable condition. The suspect's identity has not been released. Police say the man had several different identification documents, and therefore, they are waiting for confirmation before releasing the details. Images posted to social media show the suspect is clearly of Eastern European origin.
Not the First Time
Readers are reminded that Amsterdam has experienced a number of incidents classified as terrorist attacks or related activities over the years, though not at the same frequency or scale of attacks as some other European cities.
One notable past incident in Amsterdam occurred on August 31, 2018, when a 19-year-old Afghan national, Jawed Sultani, stabbed two American tourists at Amsterdam Central Train Station. The attacker, who had a German residency permit, was shot by police and later confirmed to have a terrorist motive, citing grievances over perceived insults to Islam.
On November 7-8, 2024, violent clashes in Amsterdam following a soccer match between Ajax and Maccabi Tel Aviv saw Israeli fans attacked by groups described as pro-Palestinian. Reports suggest coordination by individuals linked to Hamas-affiliated networks, with the Amsterdam mayor calling it a "hit-and-run" operation. While not a traditional terrorist attack like a bombing or shooting, the organized nature and targeting of Jews and Israelis have led some to classify it as terror-related.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the national and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of any new alerts, warnings, or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant. |
