In a shocking turn of events, a peaceful Kurdish demonstration in Antwerp, Belgium took a violent and disturbing twist on Thursday evening. Six people were injured, with two left in critical condition, after a knife attack targeted the protesters outside the city’s Opera House.
According to police spokesperson Wouter Bruyn, the incident is being investigated as attempted murder, rather than an act of terrorism. The two suspects, who are believed to have mingled with the demonstrators, were apprehended at the scene.
The protest, attended by around 50 people, had initially been peaceful, with participants waving flags of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party and the national Kurdish flag in support of Kurds in northern Syria. However, shortly after the demonstration ended at around 7:20 pm local time, the situation quickly escalated.
Orhan Kilic, a spokesperson for Navbel, a group representing the Kurdish diaspora in Belgium, provided a harrowing account of the attack. “Just as the protest was disbanding, the Kurdish demonstrators were attacked by a group of men. These men had sneaked into the demonstration and suddenly pulled out knives and began stabbing people indiscriminately.”
Kilic condemned the assault as a “motivated attack on a community,” rather than an isolated act of senseless violence. Forensic officers were seen at the scene, and police have urged the public to avoid the area as the investigation continues.
The incident has left the local Kurdish community shaken and demanding answers. Authorities have assured that they are reviewing CCTV footage to ensure that no other suspects have evaded arrest. The two victims in critical condition are receiving medical attention, and the community awaits updates on their condition.
This violent attack has cast a dark shadow over what was meant to be a peaceful expression of solidarity. As the investigation unfolds, the people of Antwerp and the broader Kurdish diaspora will be watching closely, seeking justice and a deeper understanding of the motives behind this troubling incident.
