German state security fear Islamic terrorists will target this summer’s Euros after a propaganda magazine published a chilling image of a ‘last call’ with explosives on an S-Bahn train in wake of Champions League threats
According to reports, German state security officials believe that a regional branch of the Islamic State will target the European Championships in Germany this summer.
This week there was a clear threat from the terror group against the hosting stadiums Champions League ties throughout Europe, with Security in Paris has increased – Where Paris Saint-Germain were due to the face Barcelona in Parc des Princes – Madrid, for Real Madrid‘ clashes with Manchester cityand in the Emirates, where Arsenal would be hosts Bayern Munich.
All three ties passed without incident, but French authorities went so far as to set up a BRI (Investigation and Intervention Brigade) with their elite counter-terrorism brigade after a report was shared by the Al-Azaim Foundation, a media outlet responsible for spreading messages from the terrorist group. ISIS-K branch of the terrorist group.
ISIS-K last month claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow.
But tensions are set to rise again ahead of this summer’s top European competition after a second threat was published in the group’s propaganda magazine.
An Islamic State propaganda magazine has issued a chilling call to arms for terrorists in Europe
A number of images depicting football have led German state officials to believe that Euro 2024 will be targeted
Security was stepped up at grounds featuring Champions League matches after the tires were targeted by specific threats
From BILthe current issue of Voice of Khorasan includes a call to action on terrorist attacks, which German state officials say are targeting the UEFA tournament.
The issue contains a number of images, including an image of a terrorist holding a gun and dressed in camouflage on board a German S-Bahn train or tram with the caption: ‘Last call before exit’.
On the chair next to the militant is a box containing explosives, with a sign underneath that reads ‘Welcome to Europe’.
Another shows a drone flying over the newly renovated Bernabeu and is captioned: “If they choke and suppress you on the ground, hit them from the air.”
“If the enemies of the religion of Allah block the path of Hijra, they cannot block the path of struggle,” the accompanying text reads.
Hijra can refer to the process of moving or emigrating, and refers to the journey of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
The group threatened to kill fans in London, Paris and Madrid and inflamed tensions in a message from IS’s propaganda wing.
The text goes on to threaten: “Run over the kuffar (infidels or infidels) with your vehicle, stab them with knives, fill their food with poison, blow out their brains with bullets and set their houses on fire.”
The propaganda piece singled out young people in particular, with a direct appeal stating: ‘The responsibility of youth is greater than anywhere else.
‘We once again appeal to the youth of the Ummah (the Muslim community) and especially to the sincere Muwahiddeen (a phrase used by the Islamic State to describe their fighters) who are in the arms of the countries opposing the Islamic world to fight. Muslims and Islamic Rituals’.
German state officials believe that the ISIS-K group – variously called Islamic State – Khorasan Province, ISPK or IS-K – has an organized network of more than 100 operatives in Western Europe, including 50 in Germany alone.
An official told BILD: ‘(This propaganda piece) shows that the ISPK absolutely wants to carry out sensational attacks, no matter how and by whom.
“To this end, all potential attackers, including self-radicalizing individual perpetrators, so-called lone wolves, are now being called upon to carry out attacks.”
Khorosan refers to the historical province that makes up parts of modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan – regions where the group originated.
Madrid’s hosting of two matches – for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid – saw measures tightened on both Tuesday and Wednesday
ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack on Moscow’s Crocus City Hall last month, which killed 144 people
With football matches increasingly the focus of targeted propaganda campaigns, Britain’s counter-terrorism police wrote to Premier League clubs on Wednesday urging them to review security procedures in the wake of recent threats.
Mail Sport exclusively reported that officers had asked the teams to ensure they focused on ‘readiness and response plans’ at their home locations.
Insiders are believed to be reviewing their security measures, having previously been put on alert following the attacks in Moscow over the Easter period.
Four armed men from Tajikistan stormed the building, dressed in camouflage, killing 144 attendees in the concert hall and wounding another 551 people.