Islamic State claims responsibility for Marseille double-stabbing

Oct. 2 (UPI) -- The Islamic State terror group claimed responsibility for the stabbing attack that killed two women in Marseille, France, on Sunday.

Through its Amaq news agency, the Islamic State cited the stabber as a "soldier" of the group.

Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence Group, said the attack was inspired by the terror group but the attacker wasn't in actual coordination with them.

"ISIS claim for Marseille knife attack indicates the attack was ISIS-inspired & not coordinated, unlike the Sept 15 London Metro bombing," Katz tweeted Monday.

For years, the Islamic State has encouraged fighters to commit violence with whatever was available to them, including random knife and vehicle attacks. Its claim of responsibility for Sunday's attack follows a number of other "lone wolf" strikes the group has taken credit for.

"Deeply indignant by this barbarous act, in pain with the families and the relatives of the victims of Marseille," French President Emmanuel Macron tweeted. "I salute the soldiers of Sentinel and the police officers who reacted with cold blood and efficiency."

The attacker, who was known to have several identities, was killed by a military patrol after the assault in front of the Saint-Charles train station on Sunday.