Title: A Decade of Vehicle Attacks: From Nice to New Orleans, a pattern of violence
A string of high-profile vehicle attacks has been a disturbing trend across the globe over the past decade, with many motivated by terror and others driven by other factors. The latest incident occurred in New Orleans, where a suspect is accused of using a truck to attack a crowd, resulting in an FBI investigation into an act of terrorism.
The use of vehicles as weapons is not new, dating back to 2010 when Al Qaeda’s branch in Yemen published an article titled “The Ultimate Mowing Machine,” which encouraged followers to use four-wheel-drive pickup trucks to strike and kill as many people as possible. The article emphasized the need for speed and control to inflict maximum damage.
Subsequent attacks have left a trail of destruction and death. In 2014, ISIS encouraged followers to attack and run over “disbelieving Americans, Frenchmen or any of their allies” if needed. The group also justified attacks, including the 2016 Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, France, which killed 84 people and injured over 200, as retaliation for France’s participation in the fight against ISIS.
Other notable incidents include the 2016 Berlin, Germany, attack on a Christmas market, which killed 12 people and wounded 48, and the 2017 attack in Charlottesville, Virginia, which left one person dead and many injured. In New York City in 2017, a suspect used a rental truck to kill eight people and injure a dozen more, allegedly inspired by ISIS videos.
The FBI is still investigating the New Orleans attack, but early indications suggest a possible link to ISIS and an attempt to “mow down” a crowd. These high-profile attacks serve as a grim reminder of the ongoing threat of terrorism and the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies.
