The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for yesterday's machete attack on two policewomen in Belgium.

The attack was carried out by one of the Islamic State group's "soldiers," said a statement by the IS-affiliated Aamaq News Agency posted on an IS-linked Twitter account.

The statement said the attack in the city of Charleroi was in response to the "Crusader coalition's" campaign against IS and its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

The assailant was a 33-year-old Algerian.

Belgian prosecutors identified the man as K.B. who has lived in Belgium since 2012 and has a criminal record.

"There are indications that the attack may have been inspired by a terrorist motive," the prosecutors said in a statement.

"He is known to police for criminal acts, not for terrorism."

The assailant, who shouted "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest), was shot after attacking the officers outside the police headquarters and subsequently died of his wounds.  

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