In Haldenwang, the level of jihadist threat is considered high.

Upholding the foundation of the legal system - In Haldenwang, the level of jihadist threat is considered high.

Being aware of the present times, the risk of witnessing an Islamist terrorist attack in Germany is at an all-time high, as revealed by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution. Speaking to the German Press Agency in Berlin, the office's president, Thomas Haldenwang, stated that, "The risk of jihadist attacks is as high as it's been in a long while."

Portraying the current climate, Haldenwang explains that many more indications of potential attacks are coming into the spotlight, possibly due to the recent events of the Gaza War. Various factors are contributing to this escalated danger. The takeover of power by the Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan has undoubtedly enhanced the jihadist ideologies. Additionally, the rise of the terrorist militia Islamic State Province Khorasan (ISPK) in areas like Pakistan and Afghanistan is also a significant contributing factor. Other triggers for radicalization include the desecration of the Quran in Scandinavia and the Israeli military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Haldenwang explicitly mentions the precarious situation in the Middle East after the Hamas attack and revealed that, "Germany has become a target for jihadists due to our country's strong support for Israel."

In Mannheim, at the end of May, a 25-year-old Afghan brutally attacked five members of the Islam-critical organization, Pax Europa, and a police officer with a knife. The 29-year-old officer, Rouven Laur, tragically lost his life as a result of these injuries. Investigators strongly suspect an Islamist-extremist motivation behind this incident.

The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution has always taken the threat of Islamic terrorism seriously, repeatedly informing the public that, "The situation is highly tense." It is challenging to point out which risk is the greatest at the moment. "The situation is being managed by a trifecta: The threat of Islamic terrorism, power fueled by right-wing extremism and its themes of hostility toward foreigners and Muslims, and the espionage activities coming from foreign states," emphasized Haldenwang.

In reference to the burning of the Quran, two men living in Germany were planning an attack involving firearms on the Swedish parliament. They were arrested in Thuringia back in March. The Federal Prosecutor General mentioned at the time that the two Afghans were planning to receive instructions from ISPK during the summer of 2023. Subsequent preparation was well underway.

Sweden has experienced numerous instances of the Quran being burnt or damaged in public spaces. These occurrences are predominantly connected to Islamophobic gatherings.

The connection to the ISPK is mainly tethered to Central Asia, with a wide range of people from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, along with connections to the North Caucasus region. These individuals have gained battle experience and share the same religious beliefs, according to Haldenwang, who also noted that the common use of Russian as a language might be a unifying factor. "The ISPK aims to move beyond its region of origin and increase its influence in Western Europe," said the head of the office.

At the Cologne/Bonn airport, a man with German, Moroccan, and Polish nationality was apprehended as he attempted to leave the country. He is currently under suspicion for transferring over $1,700 to an ISPK account through a cryptocurrency exchange in September 2023. The individual applied to work as a steward and security guard at various major events, including the European Football Championship (June 14 to July 14) outside the football stadium. His application was scrutinized by security authorities, resulting in his identification.

Also, ISIS had released an image on their channels of a man in a stadium wielding an automatic weapon a few weeks ago. Security sources commented in May that this was, "part of a propaganda campaign intending to incite unrest and create lone-wolf attackers."

Read also:

1. The rise of terrorism, particularly Islamist extremism, has become a significant concern for Germany's secret services.
2. Germany's high alert against terrorism is also influenced by events in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas is actively operating.
3. The Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan has added to the danger of terrorism, as jihadist ideologies spread globally.
4. The Islamic State Province Khorasan (ISPK) in Pakistan and Afghanistan is a significant contributor to the escalated danger of terrorism.
5. Right-wing extremism in Germany, along with hostility towards foreigners and Muslims, is another threat that demands attention from secret services.
6. Haldenwang, the president of Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, emphasized the seriousness of the Islamist terror threat.
7. Scandinavian events like the desecration of the Quran have also been cited as potential triggers for terrorism.
8. The military operation against Hamas in the Gaza Strip has placed Germany in the crosshairs of jihadist threats.
9. The investigation into the Afghan attack on Pax Europa members and a police officer highlights the real threat of Islamist-extremist motivated violence.
10. Secret services are keeping a close eye on potential threats, even extending to military deployments, in response to the rising tide of extremism and terrorism.
11. The connection between ISPK and terrorist actions in Europe is a topic of ongoing concern for German and international security agencies.
12. The protection of the constitution and the deterrence of terrorism is a key focus for Germany as it navigates the complex and dangerous landscape of global extremism, from Afghanistan to Syria and beyond, including threats from the Taliban and IS.

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