String Of Attacks Rocks Globe: Hague Stabbings Leave Several Injured, Man Takes Hostages In Rio

During a day where people from around the world join long lines to begin their Christmas shopping, a string of attacks in shopping centers and London’s famous London Bridge have raised the specter of terrorism and a possible retaliation for the killing of Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

The string of attacks occurred almost one month to the day after Baghdadi’s murder at the hands of US special forces and one trained military dog.

The latest, a stabbing attack in the Hague (notoriously the home of the ICC and several other NGOs), has left several people injured (the exact number is unclear)om several peope

Emergency services said they had arrived on scene, and were

Steekincident met meerdere gewonden aan de #GroteMarktstraat in #DenHaag. Hulpdiensten zijn ter plaatse. Meer info volgt via dit kanaal.

— Politie Den Haag eo (@POL_DenHaag) November 29, 2019

While this was the second stabbing attack in Europe in a matter of hours, another incident unfolded in the Brazilian city of Rio, as a man armed with a knife held six people hostage at a bar in Central Rio, as a local police Captain confirmed. 

LAPA | RUA DO RESENDE segue fechada (ocorrência policial). Reflexos na Av. Mem de Sá. Av. República do Paraguai, Rua Texeira de Freitas e Rua do Riachuelo.
Evite a região da Lapa e opte pela Av. Pres. Vargas, Rua Visconde do Rio Branco ou T. Sta Bárbara. #centro pic.twitter.com/z0iKJqYvZW

— Centro de Operações Rio (@OperacoesRio) November 29, 2019

At 3:34 pm, the first hostage, identified only as Sergio, was released. Another hostage, a woman named Lucia, reportedly the owner of the bar, was released shortly after.

Back in the Hague, a manhunt continues for the attackers, with officers reportedly looking for suspects aged between 45 and 50 wearing grey tracksuits.