Belgium: Jihadist Group Claims Responsibility for Synagogue Explosion

Here is an update on Monday's explosion in front of a synagogue in Liege. A pro-Iran jihadist group has sent a video of the explosion to police claiming responsibility.

The  below article from the French-language daily, La Libre (Be), is translated by Fousesquawk.

Explosion in front of Liege synagogue: A video from a jihadist group claiming responsibility is analyzed

A claim of responsibility coming from a jihadist group has reached Liege investigators

-By Jean-Michel Crespin, Liege Editor-in-chief , IPM (Gazette de Liege and DH-Liege)

Posted March 11, 2026 at 20:31

Updated March 11, 2026 at 23:16

 Has the investigation on the explosion in front of a Liege synagogue making a turn towards a terrorist act? Given the latest elements reaching the investigators in the last few hours, it seems reasonable to believe so.

In effect, the men from the Federal Judicial Police are in possession of a video showing the explosion in front of the building. It reportedly is from a jihadist group that claimed responsibility for the attack. It is reportedly the pro-Iranian movement, Harakat Ashab al-Kahf.

In the images, we see an object placed in front of the synagogue. To the sound of rhythmic music, a man approaches to film it and the device explodes sending flames several meters. A message in Arabic is also visible below.

Obviously, this video is in the process of being analyzed to verify its authenticity. Foe now, the Federal Prosecutor's Office is making no further comment.

To recall, on Monday at 3:38 am, an explosion was heard in front of the synagogue located on Rue Leon Fredericq in Outremeuse in Liege.

Terrorist act or exploitation?

While the detonation caused no injuries, damage to the synagogue and the neighboring area was significant. Indeed, countless windows were broken dozens of meters around.

According to initial elements of the investigation, the bomb is apparently homemade and weak in strength. The surveillance camera images were immediately reviewed and made it possible to establish the sequence of events. At 3:38 am, a man in a car stopped his vehicle in front of the synagogue and placed an object in front of the main door. He turned around and got back in the car.  It was quickly determined that the license on the vehicle had been stolen.

It remains to be seen if this is really a terrorist act or an isolated gesture of a fanatic that a jihadist movement is trying to exploit given the media attention that the Liege explosion has aroused.