(VOVworld) – The Islamic State group has issued a communiqué taking credit for the Brussels attacks and threatening other countries taking part in the anti-IS coalition.

Rescue workers treat victims outside the Maelbeek metro station after a blast, in Brussels (Photo: www.independent.co.uk)

The statement promises "dark days" for countries allied against the Islamic State, threatening that "what is coming is worse and more bitter”. The communique was published in Arabic and French, and an English translation was provided by the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadi websites. IS also released photos purportedly showing its fighters in Syria giving out candy to children to celebrate the Brussels attacks, according to SITE. On Tuesday, Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur said that as  the EU president, the Netherlands will call a EU ministerial meeting Thursday to discuss the terrorist attacks in Brussels.