Terrorist attacks in the Brussels airport and a metro station on March 22 shocked not only the European country, but also the rest of the world. The attacks in Brussels killed at least 32 people and injured over 250, according to CNN.

The recent terrorist attacks in Brussels occurred four months after the Paris attacks on November 13 that killed  130 people. The Paris attacks made 2015 the deadliest year for Europe since the Madrid attacks in 2004, and the recent Brussels attack only added to the record number of casualties.

The Islamic State of Iran and Syria (ISIS) claimed responsibility for both attacks.

According to the Washington Post journalist Lazaro Gamio, the attacks, “are part of a global expansion in Islamic State strategy” and “more attacks are likely planned.”

Until recently, terrorist attacks similar to the Brussels and Paris ones led by ISIS have not left the Middle Eastern and African areas of the world. However, with the potential spread of deadly attacks, world leaders and countries are responding to the threat.

The United States’ President Obama responded to the Paris attacks by saying, “This is an attack not just on Paris, it’s an attack not just on the people of France, but this is an attack on all of humanity and the universal values that we share.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed with President Obama and stated that the attacks, “targeted and hit all of us,” and that, “we must all respond together.”

Meanwhile, Syrian and other Middle Eastern refugees are fleeing their countries and seeking safety in Europe and the United States. In 2015, Germany alone accepted 460,000 Syrian refugees and provided them with safety from their former dictatorship of a country.  So far, the United States has accepted a little over 2,000 Syrian refugees.

The refugee crisis only adds another sense of urgency to end terrorist attacks and make countries safe for people to live in again.