Manchester Arena attack: Isis claims responsibility for suicide bombing that killed at least 22 people

From the Independent

Isis has claimed responsibility for the Manchester Arena attack, hailing the bomber as a “soldier of the caliphate”.

The terrorist group released statements in several languages through its central media body praising the atrocity, claiming more than 100 “crusaders” were killed or wounded at the “shameless” concert.

“With Allah’s grace and support, a soldier of the Khilafah [caliphate] managed to place explosive devices in the midst of the gatherings of the crusaders in the British city of Manchester,” said the English version.

Isis said the attack aimed to terrorise “infidels…in response to their transgressions against the lands of the Muslims”.

The release of a lengthy official claim so quickly after the bombing suggested the attacker had been in direct contact with Isis militants.

The most recent edition of its Rumiyah propaganda magazine listed concert halls among “ideal target locations” for attacks.

Analysts have warned that the group may increasingly turn to “soft targets” with large crowds, as seen in Westminster, Stockholm, Nice and Berlin, rather than protected areas with a high security presence.