Risk of Islamist attacks is higher now than in recent years, warns expert.
Threats to Germany's security include Islamic terrorism, right-wing extremism, and espionage, warns the head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz), Thomas Haldenwang. Jihadist attacks pose a significant risk, he claims.
The threat of jihadist attacks in Germany is higher than it has been in recent years, Haldenwang reports. The Office for the Protection of the Constitution is dealing with numerous indications connected to jihadist attacks. He attributes this, in part, to the Gaza War.
Haldenwang mentions several factors that contribute to the increased attack risk, including self-radicalized lone wolves. Theseinclude:- The takeover of power by the Islamist Taliban in Afghanistan, thereby promoting the jihadist ideology- The strengthening of the terrorist militia Islamic State Province Khorasan (ISPK), particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan- Radicalization spurred by incidents such as the burning of the Koran in Scandinavia and Israeli military operations against the Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip
Haldenwang explains that the Gaza War worsens the threat situation from Islamic terrorism, saying that Germany is more targeted by jihadists because it, alongside the U.S., is considered a major supporter of Israel. There was an instance in May where a 25-year-old Afghan stabbed five participants in a demonstration by the Islam-critical group Pax Europa and a policeman in Mannheim with a knife. A 29-year-old officer, Rouven L., died from his injuries. Investigators suspect this was an Islamist-extremist action.
Haldenwang has never underestimated the danger of Islamic terrorism, but has repeatedly stated that the security situation is tense. Currently, he reports, it's hard to pick out the greatest threat. "We're dealing with a triad: the threat from Islamic terrorism, the danger of right-wing extremism, which is also fueled by hatred of foreigners and Muslims, and the influence and spying activities of foreign states," he said. There's also a growing threat from left-wing extremism, which is becoming more violent.
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The rise in right-wing extremism is another concern for Haldenwang, who also warned about espionage threats. The increase in jihadist attacks in Germany is partly due to the Taliban's takeover in Afghanistan, promoting jihadist ideology. The Islamic State's strengthening in Pakistan and Afghanistan, particularly through the Islamic State Province Khorasan (ISPK), also contributes to this rise. Radicalization can be triggered by incidents like the burning of the Koran or Israeli military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Haldenwang's Office for the Protection of the Constitution is monitoring numerous indications of potential jihadist attacks. Following the Gaza War, Germany is considered a major supporter of Israel by jihadists, making it a potential target. A recent attack in Mannheim was suspected to be an Islamist-extremist action, where a protester and a policeman were stabbed by a self-radicalized Afghani. The head of the Office for the Protection of the Constitution, Thomas Haldenwang, has repeatedly stressed the tense security situation, including the threat from Islamist terrorism, right-wing extremism, foreign state influence, and left-wing extremism becoming more violent.
