This is a developing story. More information may be added at any time.
At 4:50 PM today, 20 armed gunmen stormed the Maximusian Embassy in Vulkaria following a nearby car-bombing that killed four civilians, two security officers, and an on-site Maximusian Marine. A firefight ensued, leaving one of the embassy's defending Marines and several other embassy staff dead. As police arrived, things only got worse. Our sources report that fighting intensified at that point, leading to the death of 3 additional Marines before the gunmen were subdued. Injury numbers remain unknown at this time.
Just five minutes after the embassy attack, a concert in Lumeniola was bombed. It has been reported that at least 120 were injured. This makes it the most deadly terrorist attack since the Litudinem Presidential Motorcade attack in 2017. 22 spectators have been confirmed to have died, with many more in critical condition. Many of these individuals were teenagers and young adults.
The news gets worst, this attack was not a singular event, it was one of many attacks carried out today throughout the IDU in a dozen nations. We can confirm at this time that attacks were carried out today in Vulkaria, Zamastan, Laeral, Eiria, Legionas, Libertas Omnium Maximus, Shuell, Shen, Gardavasque, Xiomera, Byzconia, and DeBeeland. All of the attacks have been claimed by the Vulkarian based terrorist group known as the Malvarian Liberation Front.
Along with many other world leaders, President Lucas Brown made a press release just hours after the event. He refused to take questions, making only a brief but impassioned statement before stepping off the podium.
"It is with the heaviest heart that I look upon all of the carnage created by this terrorist organization. Today they committed the most unspeakable act: targeting civilians. Their objective was to bring about the death of good people who did nothing to deserve such a fate.
Let me assure you, the Maximusian public, that it is the last mistake they will ever make. No one messes with the Maximusian people. I make this vow to you now, with the whole world as my witness, I will not stop until the pathetic Malvarian Liberation Front in eradicated from the earth. We will do everything in our power to see that every last cowardly rat is burned alive in their little rat-holes.
We will take the fight to them and will win because we are Libertas Omnium Maximus. We are a unified force that will defend our own. When I took office I swore an oath to protect you, all of you. I will not break that vow. I will not stop until I stand here on this same podium and announce that we have annihilated the MLF permanently.
To the snake who calls himself Kamoni, you better watch yourself. You poked the bear and you are about to get what's coming to you. You don't mess with the Maximusian people. Your days are numbered. You are a dead man walking.
To the Maximusian people who have lost loved ones to this senseless violence, my sincerest condolences go out to you. No mother should have to bury her son or daughter who was just trying to have a fun night at the concert. I grieve with you... the world grieves with you. God Bless all those who have passed-on today. God Bless the Maximsuian people."
After the President's speech, it was announced that the Maximusian government was looking to work with other affected nations to take down the MLF once and for all.