The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for Friday's knife attack on Belgian soldiers in the capital city of Brussels.

The terrorist organization's Amaq news wing made the announcement Saturday, according to Reuters, after Belgian soldiers shot a man dead who had rushed the soldiers with a knife shouting "Allahu Ackbar," an Islamic phrase meaning "God is great."

ADVERTISEMENT

"The executor of the stabbing operation in Brussels is a soldier of the Islamic State and carried out the operation in response to calls for attacks against coalition states," Amaq stated, in reference to the U.S.-led coalition fighting ISIS in Iraq and Syria.

The attacker, a 30-year-old Belgian citizen of Somali origin, died after being rushed to the hospital. Belgian authorities on Saturday launched two investigations into the attack.

ISIS also claimed responsibility for two recent attacks in and near Barcelona, Spain, that killed a total of 15 people and injured more than 100 others.