ŽUPLJANIN: BELGRADE ATTACK WAKE-UP CALL FOR THE REGION

BANJA LUKA, OCTOBER 28 /SRNA/ - The terrorist attack in Belgrade is a serious signal and a message to all security structures in the region, especially in Serbia and BiH, that protection measures must be raised to a significantly higher level, security expert Slobodan Župljanin told SRNA.

Župljanin said this should serve as an alarm for all security structures in the region, especially in Serbia and BiH.

"Republika Srpska is a particular target of Western globalists, neo-Nazis and neo-fascists, as well as radical Islamist forces in BiH, and Srpska and its security structures must not ignore that fact," Župljanin stressed.

Župljanin said the attack on the Gendarmerie officer guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade was a classic terrorist act by a fanatical Islamist, a follower of the ideology of militarization and Islamization in the region.

"This is yet another piece of evidence that Islamist militants are not resting. On the contrary, they are constantly ready to act and are just waiting for the right moment and circumstances," Župljanin said.

He stressed that the attack on the Gendarmerie officer shows hatred not only towards Israel and the Israeli people, but also towards the state of Serbia, which is obliged to provide legal and physical protection to the staff and property of other countries.

Župljanin added that the initial trigger was the parliamentary elections in Israel, while the current post-election situation in Serbia was also seen as a suitable moment for a terrorist attack.

"Fortunately, there were no wider casualties, and once again the security forces showed their ability to carry out their tasks successfully in protecting the lives and property of everyone who, for whatever reason, lives and works in Serbia," Župljanin said.

He noted that terrorism is the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Balkans and around the world.

Župljanin also warned that many will try to exploit the post-election process in Serbia and attempt to harm Republika Srpska and the Serb people, which is why all of Srpska's patriotic forces bear a special responsibility for preserving peace and stability at this time.

He said protests and unrest in EU countries have spiraled out of the European authorities' control, and that there is a serious threat these problems will be "exported" beyond the EU, with the Balkans always the most attractive target for such actions.

A minor, believed to be from Šabac, attacked a Gendarmerie officer guarding the Israeli Embassy in Belgrade with two knives, shouting "Allahu Akbar".

The officer killed the attacker in self-defense and sustained minor injuries. A red level terrorism threat alert has been declared.