ISIS attacks: A timeline of terror
In recent years, attacks inspired and executed by ISIS have become all too common, constituting some of the world's deadliest massacres.
In the early hours of March 22, 2016, a series of explosions rocked the Belgian capital of Brussels, killing at least 31 people and wounding more than 200, including three American Mormon missionaries. Around 8am, bombs tore through the departure lounge at Brussels' main airport, then about an hour later, an explosion occurred at the crowded Maelbeek metro station. The deadly blasts came just days after Belgian officials finally captured Salah Abdeslam, the last remaining Paris attacker at large. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the carnage in a statement on their website, stating that the bombings were executed with explosive belts and devices.
Blast at Turkish tourist spot
On January 12, 2016, Turkish officials said an ISIS suicide bomber was to blame for a bomb blast in a district of central Istanbul popular with tourists, which killed ten people (including nine German nationals) and wounded 15 more. The blast struck the city's historic Sultanahmet district, home to the famed Blue Mosque.
San Bernardino shooting
On December 2, 2015, a husband and wife dressed in tactical clothing and armed with military-grade rifles opened fire at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California, leaving 14 people dead and another 17 injured. It was the deadliest mass shooting in the U.S. since Sandy Hook.
The FBI has since said the attack was inspired by, but not directed by ISIS; uncovering that the female attacker had pledged her allegiance to the leader of the Islamic State, Khalifah Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi Al Qurashi, on social media shortly before the rampage.
Paris attacks
On November 13, 2015, a crowded Friday night in Paris, a series of shootings and explosions left at least 129 people dead and hundreds more injured in the deadliest violence France had seen in decades. The attacks included a shootout in a Paris restaurant, multiple explosions near the Stade de France, and a hostage situation at Paris' Bataclan concert hall.
The third major terror incident in France that year, a curfew was instituted in Paris for the first time since the Nazis occupied the city in 1944. The next day, ISIS claimed responsibility.
Russian plane tragedy
On October 31, 2015, a Russian Metrojet airliner crashed in the Sinai Peninsula, killing all 224 people aboard. The Russian government said investigators found traces of explosives amidst the wreckage, indicating it was a "terrorist act." ISIS claimed responsibility.
Lebanon twin suicide bombings
On November 12, 2015, twin suicide bombings struck a southern Beirut suburb, killing at least 43 people and wounding 239 more in one of the deadliest attacks Lebanon had seen in years. The explosions hit minutes apart during rush hour in an area of southern Beirut called Burj al-Barajneh, a Hezbollah stronghold.
The attack was quickly claimed by ISIS, which is fighting in neighboring Syria and Iraq, but has not yet established a recognized affiliate in Lebanon.
Turkey peace rally bombing
On October 10, 2015, two explosions were set off seconds apart near Ankara's main train station as people gathered for a peace rally organized by left-wing Kurdish activists and opposition supporters. At least 95 people were killed and hundreds wounded in the apparent suicide attack, the deadliest violence in the history of modern Turkey.
Though no group immediately claimed responsibility, Turkish officials said the bombing was consistent with intelligence information about an imminent ISIS attack. Here, victims' bodies lie on the street, covered with banners and flags.
French train attack
On August 21, 2015, a heavily-armed Islamic radical opened fire on a high-speed train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris, wounding three people before being subdued by two off-duty U.S. Marines on the train.
Here, French President Francois Hollande shakes hands with U.S. serviceman Spencer Stone (C), next to off-duty serviceman Alek Skarlatos and their friend, Anthony Sadler (R), after the three were awarded France's top Legion d'Honneur medal in recognition of their bravery overpowering the train attacker.
Cairo embassy explosion
On July 11, 2015, a car bomb ripped into the Italian Consulate in Cairo, destroying a section of the historic building in a powerful blast that killed one Egyptian and marked the most significant attack yet on foreign interests as militants target the country's security forces.
A group calling itself The Islamic State in Egypt claimed responsibility for the bombing in a message circulated on social media.
Tunisia beach resort shooting
On June 26, 2015, a gunman disguised as a vacationer unfurled an umbrella and pulled out a Kalashnikov, opening fire on European sunbathers at a Tunisian beach resort. At least 39 people were killed in the shooting, mostly western tourists. The attack followed a call to violence by ISIS, and the group claimed responsibility for the seaside massacre the next day. It was the deadliest attack in Tunisia's recent history.
Turkey political rally bombing
On June 5, 2015, a bomb packed with ball bearings was detonated at a political rally in the predominantly Kurdish city of Diyarbakir, Turkey, just ahead of legislative elections. Two people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the attack that Turkish officials have attributed to ISIS.
Here, relatives of 17-year-old Ramazan Yildiz, who was killed by the explosion, mourn at his funeral.
Saudi mosque bombing
On May 22, 2015, a suicide bomber targeted a Shiite mosque in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during Friday prayers, killing at least 21 worshippers and wounding 120 more. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, attributing it to a new unit, called the Najd Province.
Garland, TX shooting
On May 3, 2015, two young men, dressed in full body armor and carrying assault rifles, opened fire on a controversial contest in Garland, Texas to find the best cartoon of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed. Both gunmen were killed and a security guard injured during the attack. Authorities later discovered that one of the gunmen had tweeted his allegiance to ISIS the night before the shooting.
Yemen mosque bombing
On March 20, 2015, four suicide bombers hit a pair of mosques controlled by Shiite rebels in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, unleashing blasts through crowds of worshippers that killed at least 137 people and wounded around 350 others in the deadliest violence to hit the fragile war-torn nation in decades.
A group claiming to be a Yemeni branch of ISIS claimed responsibility for the bombings and warned of an "upcoming flood" of attacks against the rebels, known as Houthis, who have taken over the capital and much of Yemen.
Tunisia museum shooting
On March 18, 2015, two gunmen stormed a museum near Tunisia's parliament, killing at least 19 people, mostly foreign tourists. According to Prime Minister Habib Essid, the attackers, wearing military uniforms, walked past the fence around the perimeter of the National Bardo Museum and waited for tourist buses to arrive, then opened fire. They then went into the building and reportedly executed eight tourists before being killed themselves in a police raid. ISIS later claimed responsibility for the attack.
Libya hotel shooting
On January 27, 2015, gunmen stormed a luxury hotel in the Libyan capital of Tripoli, popular with diplomats and officials, killing four foreigners and five guards, and triggering an hours-long standoff that ended when the two assailants set off a grenade, blowing themselves up.
A senior State Department official confirmed that one U.S. citizen was among those killed in the attack, which was later claimed by ISIS. The attack started in the morning hours and included a car bombing as well, according to a spokesman for a Tripoli security agency.
Sinai security forces shooting
On January 29, 2015, jihadists linked to the Sinai Province of the Islamic State targeted security forces in Egypt with a series of coordinated bombings and rockets aimed at a police headquarters, a military base and a residential complex for security forces. Nearly 50 people were killed in the attacks, including 14 civilians, six police officers and 24 soldiers.
Hostage situation at kosher store
On January 9, 2015 -- two days after the Charlie Hebdo massacre and one day after a police officer was shot in Montrouge -- a gunman entered a Jewish grocery store in the Paris suburb of Porte de Vincennes and took 19 hostages, four of which were killed.
This screengrab taken from an AFP TV video shows members of the French police special forces launching an assault on the Hyper Cacher Kosher grocery store. After several explosions, police stormed the shop and the surviving hostages were transported to safety. It was later uncovered that the hostage-taker, Amedy Coulibaly, had declared his allegiance to ISIS.
Charlie Hebdo
On January 7, 2015, three Islamic militants with Kalashnikov rifles attacked the Paris offices of the satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo, leaving 12 people dead, including eight cartoonists. On January 11th, a video surfaced of Amedy Coulibaly, one of the Hebdo gunman, pledging his allegiance to ISIS. Islamic State flags were discovered in his apartment, as well.
The two brothers with whom Coulibaly carried out the attack, however, had declared their loyalty to a rival group, known as Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
Sydney cafe hostage situation
On December 15, 2014 a gunman claiming allegiance to ISIS seized 17 hostages at the Lindt Cafe in Sydney, Australia, ultimately killing two of them and wounding three, before being killed himself in a police siege. The attack left many Australians wondering why the gunman, Man Haron Monis, wasn't on any government watch lists, despite his criminal record and public expressions of radical views.
Before being killed, Monis demanded an ISIS banner from authorities.
