Trump praises Muslim man Ahmed Al-Ahmad for stopping attacker in Sydney

Washington: US President Donald Trump expressed his condolences after what he described as a “terrorist attack” at Bondi Beach in Sydney, and praised in particular the man who overpowered one of the suspected attackers.

In remarks reflecting the title of his comments, Trump said that a bystander who intervened during the attack was “a very, very brave person” and added that the man “saved many lives”.

On Sunday evening, two suspected attackers opened fire on families at the beach on the first day of the Jewish Hanukkah festival. At least 16 people were killed and at least 40 others were injured.

Trump condemned the attack and described it as antisemitic, echoing earlier statements by Australian authorities.

Video footage showed the moment when a bystander, identified as the Muslim man Ahmed Al-Ahmad, surprised one of the gunmen and disarmed him during the attack. The man jumped onto the attacker from behind and, after a brief struggle, took the rifle from him.

The suspected attacker, who had been shooting people moments earlier, fled the scene limping. 

Australian media outlets have praised Al-Ahmad as a “hero”.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the attack, which took place on the first day of Hanukkah, as a targeted assault on Jewish Australians and a brutal antisemitic act.

Australian police said the death toll had risen to at least 16 people, including one of the attackers, with 40 people currently being treated in hospital.

READ: Australia talks about ‘hero’ Ahmed al Ahmed who was injured while bravely disarming gunman in Sydney attack