Islamic State group claims deadly Belgium attack

BRUSSELS — The Islamic State group claims the man behind the attack in the Belgian city of Liege was a "soldier of the caliphate" — a wording typical of IS' opportunistic claims even when perpetrators have not been directly linked to the terror group.

The claim came Wednesday night in a brief statement on IS' media arm, the Aamaq news agency.

It says the attack in Liege was carried out in response to calls by the militant group to target countries that are members of an international coalition fighting the Islamic State group.

The attacker has been identified as Benjamin Herman, an inmate on a two-day prison furlough. He yelled "Allahu akbar," or God is great in Arabic, during Tuesday's rampage, including when he ran out to face police the last time.

AP