A knife-wielding terrorist was shot dead overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday after ambushing a police officer tasked with securing the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade, shouting “Allahu Akbar” as he launched the assault. The police officer sustained light lacerations to his face during the confrontation. Demonstrating immediate tactical composure, the officer returned fire, neutralizing and eliminating the assailant on the scene.
Following the incident, Serbian security authorities declared the highest national anti-terror alert level across the country. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic confirmed that the terrorist, suspected to be a minor hailing from the city of Sabac, was previously documented by domestic intelligence and security services as a known sympathizer of the ISIS terrorist organization. Serbian police have cordoned off the perimeter around the diplomatic mission and launched a comprehensive investigation, though formal forensic confirmation of the assailant’s identity remains underway.
The terror attack occurs amid acute domestic instability in Serbia, coming just three days after historic elections saw the domestic opposition defeat the ruling party of longtime President Aleksandar Vucic, ending his 14-year tenure. The transition of power has been accompanied by heightened political tension and public unrest. The proximity of the events has sparked concern among regional observers, noting that Vucic served as a staunch diplomatic and security partner of Israel. At the same time, anti-Semitic chants and slogans were openly documented during recent demonstrations organized by the incoming political faction.
This represents the second direct terror assault targeting security personnel guarding the Israeli mission in the Serbian capital. In June 2024, a terrorist armed with a crossbow ambushed an officer securing the perimeter, wounding him in the neck. In that incident, the injured officer managed to draw his service weapon and eliminate the assailant, prompting a cross-agency counter-terrorism inquiry.