The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in Solingen, Germany, on Saturday, which resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to eight others, as reported by its Amaq news site. The attack occurred during a city festival on Friday night, where an assailant randomly stabbed festival-goers. According to the Islamic State, the attacker targeted Christians and is described as a “soldier of the Islamic State,” acting “to avenge Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.”
Police Response and Investigation
Following the attack, police initiated a raid on an asylum seekers’ residence in Solingen, utilizing special forces. A police spokesperson mentioned that the raid was prompted by specific tips received, leading to increased police activity in the area. Special police units joined the search for the unknown knifeman, who targeted individuals’ throats during the attack.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested early Saturday, suspected of having prior knowledge of the planned attack but not being the perpetrator. The boy’s arrest followed reports from two female witnesses who overheard a conversation that aligned with the events of the attack.
Authorities’ Statements
Markus Caspers, from the counterterrorism section of the public prosecutor’s office, stated at a news conference that the motive for the attack has not yet been identified. He did not rule out terrorism as a possibility but did not provide further details.
Thorsten Fleiss, chief of operations for the German police on the night of the attack, mentioned that police searches and investigations were ongoing throughout North Rhine-Westphalia. Fleiss also reported that several knives had been found, although it was unclear if any were used in the attack.
Community and Government Reactions
Churches in Solingen opened their doors to provide spaces for prayer and emergency pastoral care following the attack. German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser visited Solingen, expressing the government’s commitment to supporting the city and its residents. She emphasized that such an attack should not divide society, a sentiment echoed by the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, who referred to the incident as “an act of terror against the security and freedom of this country.”
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called for swift justice for the perpetrator, emphasizing the gravity of the attack. President Frank-Walter Steinmeier also expressed his shock and condemned the violence, urging unity against hatred.
Broader Impact and Safety Measures
In response to the attack and increasing concerns about knife violence in Germany, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser recently proposed stricter weapons laws, suggesting a reduction in the allowed blade length for knives carried in public. This proposal aims to curb incidents of knife violence in public spaces.
