On Friday evening, AlertsUSA subscribers were notified of a mass stabbing incident that had just unfolded at a public festival and concert in Solingen, Germany, which left at least 3 dead and 6 others severely injured. The assailant reportedly targeted the necks of his victims and was shouting "Allahu Akbar!" during the attack, leading police to suspect terrorism as the motive. The suspect, who remains at large, is described as Arab in appearance.
In an ironic twist, the attack came as the city was celebrating its 650th anniversary with a “Festival of Diversity.”
German police have arrested a 15-year-old boy in connection with the attack. The boy is suspected of having advanced knowledge of the attack and failed to inform authorities, but he is not the actual assailant.
Late Addition: The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for Solingen attack.
Readers may find it interesting that one day earlier, a major NATO air base just 60 miles from the site of the knife attack raised its Force Protection Condition (FPCON) based on intelligence indicating a potential threat to the facility.
NATO Air Base Geilenkirchen, located near the border with the Netherlands, is the main operating site for NATO's Boeing E-3 Sentry Airborne Early Warning and Control (AWACS) force.
The base implemented FPCON Charlie which is the second highest level, enacted a security lockdown, and sent non-essential staff home. FPCON Charlie applies "when an incident occurs or intelligence is received, indicating some form of terrorist action or targeting against personnel or facilities is likely." The security level was reduced to its previous level on Friday.
While no specifics have been provided as to the nature of the threat, the FPCON change comes a week after Germany reported possible Russian sabotage efforts were behind attempts to contaminate the drinking water at Geilenkirchen, as well as a German base in the vicinity of Cologne.
AlertsUSA continues to monitor the national and international threat environment and will immediately notify service subscribers of any new alerts, warnings, or advisories impacting the overall threat picture for American citizens, as events warrant. |
