A stabbing attack occurred in Solingen, Germany on Friday, during the city’s 650th anniversary celebration. Three people were killed and eight others were injured with four suffering life-threatening injuries. The attacker is identified as Issa Al H, a 26-year-old Syrian asylum seeker.
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The attack took place at the Festival of Diversity, a three-day event celebrating Solingen’s history. The attacker targeted victims at random aiming for the neck, as reported by police.
Issa Al H, the attacker shares the ideology of the Islamic State (ISIS), according to federal prosecutors. He was motivated by radical Islamic convictions and aimed to kill those he considered unbelievers. Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack but did not provide evidence to support this claim.
Issa Al H appeared before a judge in Karlsruhe and was charged with murder and membership in a terrorist organization. He had applied for asylum in Germany.
The attack has started discussions about Germany’s immigration and asylum policies with upcoming regional elections in Saxony and Thuringia.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the CDU opposition party called for a halt to refugee admissions from Syria and Afghanistan.
A manhunt was initiated to find the attacker, who escaped in the chaos that followed the stabbing. Special forces were deployed to search for the suspect across North Rhine-Westphalia. Residents were advised to stay indoors and exercise caution as the manhunt continued.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of being aware of the planned attack but was later confirmed not to be the attacker.
Another individual was arrested during a police operation at a refugee home in Solingen, though details about their connection to the attack remain unclear.
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ISIL claimed responsibility for the attack via its Telegram account, describing the attacker as a soldier of the Islamic State.
The group posted two videos allegedly featuring the suspect, one pledging allegiance to the ISIL leader and the other showing him speaking before the attack.
The authenticity of these claims is under investigation by German federal prosecutors.
Hendrik Wüst labeled the attack as an act of terror. German federal prosecutors are investigating the suspect for murder, attempted murder and suspected membership in a terrorist organization.
Friedrich Merz called for stricter immigration controls from Syria and Afghanistan. The attack is expected to influence upcoming regional elections in Germany with the far-right poised to make gains.
The suspect was arrested after a manhunt that lasted nearly 24 hours. Authorities also arrested a 15-year-old boy suspected of knowing about the attack in advance but failing to report it.
A refugee center in Solingen, where the suspect had been living was searched leading to the detention of another individual.
The festival is expected to draw up to 25,000 people and it was immediately canceled as were nearby events. DJ Topic, who was performing during the attack continued his set to avoid causing panic before being instructed to stop and seek shelter.
The Solingen attack is one of Islamist-motivated attacks in Germany since 2000 including the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack.
The rise in knife crime in Germany has led to calls for stricter laws with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser advocating for tighter regulations.
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