A pair of suicide bombers sought to take the lives of many on Palm Sunday in Makassar, Indonesia; Over 20 injuries were reported initially; Widodo: I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values.
Islamist militants are suspected of carrying out a twin suicide bombing in Indonesia on Sunday that resulted in over 20 injuries. The attack took place at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church in Makassar. Palm Sunday marked the beginning of Passion Week (Holy Week). The two bombers were the only casualties.
According to police, the attackers are believed to have belonged to an Islamic State-backed (ISIS) group known as Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), a group with a standing record of terrorism. As reported by Reuters, back in 2018, the group carried out attacks on civilians and a police station, leading to the deaths of more than 30 people in the city of Surabaya.
Furthermore, approximately 20 members of this same group were detained in January, and members of this terror organization are believed to have been involved in the 2019 bombing that killed more than 20 people in the southern region of the Philippines. This attack also occurred at a Roman Catholic church.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo responded to the attack on Sunday, saying, “I call on everyone to fight against terror and radicalism, which go against religious values.”
As of yet, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Indonesia is home to the world’s largest Muslim population.
