Serbia Sets Terror Alert to Level 4 After Guard Kills Knife Attacker

Serbia has raised its national terror alert to the maximum level following a knife attack at the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic announced the measure on Wednesday after police killed an assailant just after midnight.

The attacker, who Dacic identified as a minor from the western town of Sabac, targeted a police officer from the Gendarmerie. The elite unit guards the embassy with automatic weapons. Dacic stated the man carried two knives and shouted 'Allahu Akbar' while striking the officer.

The guard suffered minor facial wounds and shot the attacker in self-defense. Police photos released from the scene show the guard's booth surrounded by police tape. Officers in full protective gear secured the area while investigators worked.

Dacic classified the incident as a terrorist attack. He revealed that Serbian security agencies had been monitoring the suspect prior to the shooting. The minister noted that the attacker posted a black Islamic State flag on his Instagram account, indicating a link to the group.

The event occurs during a period of political transition in Serbia. A parliamentary election held on Sunday resulted in a defeat for former President Aleksandar Vucic. A youth-led movement took control after nearly two years of protests. However, Vucic's allies still command the police force until a new government is formed.

International voting also took place this week. Israel held its own parliamentary vote on Tuesday, with exit polls showing no clear winner. The two nations maintain close diplomatic ties.

This is the second violent incident at the embassy in a short span. In June 2024, a man with a crossbow wounded a Serbian officer at the same location. That officer also shot the attacker dead. The Israeli embassy sits in an upscale Belgrade district, near the U.S. Embassy.