Giovanni Giacalone, a security analyst and expert on terrorism at the Catholic University of Milan, pointed out the difference between the Barcelona attack and the previous car-ramming attacks across Europe.
"This recent attack was different. This difference relates to how the attack was prepared and carried out. First, Daesh immediately claimed responsibility. Moreover, the attackers were not killed and were on the run. Finally, Daesh described them as its 'soldiers.' The situation is taking a 'military turn.' We’ll see what will be next," Giacalone told Sputnik Italy.
Commenting further, the expert said that a number of security measures are needed in order to prevent such attacks.
He also underscored that efforts should be intensified to cut off the channels for financing terrorism and international communications channels.
Furthermore, Giacalone stressed the importance of broader international cooperation against terrorism.
"There are problems in coordination between national security agencies in different European countries. Each country, first of all, wants to protect its own interests. But when it comes to international terrorism much broader international cooperation is crucial," he pointed out.
Giacalone also noted that cooperation with Russian would be very helpful in countering the global terrorist threat.
"Russia has great experience in fighting terrorists, first of all in Chechnya and Dagestan. The number of terrorist attacks in Russia has significantly decreased, mostly due to preventive and de-radicalization measures," the expert said.
On August 17, a van plowed through a crowd of pedestrians in the Las Ramblas area in central Barcelona in the evening, leaving 15 people dead and some 130 injured, in what police have already said was an act of terrorism. Daesh has already claimed responsibility for the attack. Hours after the tragedy, another vehicle attack took place in the coastal town of Cambrils, south of Barcelona. Six civilians and a police officer were injured.
