FEB 12 2035
Philadelphia was left stunned after a bomb exploded at Lincoln Financial Field during the pregame show of the Superbowl last night. The explosion caused widespread panic among the fifty-five thousand fans in attendance. According to the FBI, the blast originated in the area of the concession concourse. At this time no accurate casualty reports are available from the Philadelphia Police Department, but Philadelphia General Hospital, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania General all are reporting to be beyond capacity
According to FBI Press Office spokeswoman Janet Meno, the bombing occurred just before kickoff, causing the western half of the stadium to collapse, trapping thousands of people in the wreckage. The blast sent debris and smoke into the air and could be seen for miles. Emergency services arrived at the scene in fifteen minutes, and launched a massive effort to evacuate the stadium and provide aid to the injured.
Emergency response teams detected radioactive material as soon as they arrived. The entire area was placed under quarantine and cleanup protocols began. In the current era of terrorist attacks that have plagued the United States over the last 2 years, the city of Philadelphia developed the Critical Response Team (CRT). Following the bombing the CRT set a 10 mile exclusion zone surrounding the stadium in an attempt to limit radioactive exposure.
Shortly after the attack the Sadiq Musab al-Zarqawi released a statement on behalf of the Taliban on Al Jazeera claiming responsibility. Sadiq Musab al-Zarqawi is the brother of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian jihadist who ran a terrorist training camp in Afghanistan in the late 90’s. He became known for traveling to Iraq and claiming responsibility for a series of bombings, beheadings, and attacks during the Iraq War, reportedly “turning the insurgency against US troops” in Iraq “into a Shia–Sunni civil war”
After the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, and the failed trade negotiations with the Taliban regime in 2031, tensions with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan have remained high. In 2032 Ron DeSantis won the presidential election. On his first day in office President DeSantis signed a series of sanctions on the Taliban Regime targeting their arms and drug trade with Russia. Professor Benjamin Saylor, professor of International Relations at Columbia University believes that this may be the reason for the Taliban’s renewed support of terrorist organizations over the past year.
President DeSantis released the following statement from an undisclosed secure site:
“My fellow Americans, Tonight a beacon of freedom, Philadelphia, came under attack in a deliberate and deadly terrorist attack. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by an evil, despicable, act of terror. This heinous attack has filled me with disbelief, an unbelievable sadness, and unyielding rage and fury.
This act of mass murder was intended to frighten the nation into chaos and retreat, but they have failed. Our country is strong. A terrorist attack may shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but it cannot touch the foundation of America. We were attacked because we remain the brightest beacon for freedom in the world. And no one will stop that light from shining.
Tonight I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve. For the Philadelphians whose worlds have been shattered, for all those whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. I Promise you, the American Citizens, we will deploy swift and forceful action, we will fear no evil, and we will have justice for all.”
– Ron DeSantis, 47th President of the United States
Shortly after the president’s statement, ANN started receiving reports of transport aircraft departing Military installations on the east coast. Multiple C-130s were seen taking off from Fort Bragg and Fort Jackson. At this time we are uncertain of their destination as the Pentagon has refused to comment citing national security.