New Wave of Terrorism Is Sweeping Across Europe

Terrorism researcher Peter R Neumann says the October 7 terrorist attack by Hamas served as a powerful motivational force for jihadists around the world. The recent attack in Solingen, Germany fits perfectly into the strategy of the Islamic State.

A series of terrorist attacks compounds the challenges German police officers face (Photo: AFP)

The knife attack in Solingen, by contrast, did not come as a surprise at all to the expert, as he says it accurately reflects the strategy of the Islamic State.

Their aim is to make people around the world fear that terrorists could strike anywhere, not just in Paris and Berlin, but in a small town like Solingen or in even smaller settlements,

Neumann said, adding that another consistent overarching aim of such terrorist attacks is to keep their own supporters motivated and encourage them to carry out further attacks. The Islamic State has certainly been successful at this before.

В теракте устроенном группой исламских террористов в 2015 году в Париже погибло 130 человек и 350 ранено.
В результате теракта в 2016 году в Ницце исламист убил 86 человек и еще 308 получили ранения.
А теперь подумайте, что могут миллионы фанатиков мусульман заполонивших Европу. pic.twitter.com/v7f7C3qsjd

— 🔴 Подпоручик Киже (@Lt_Kizhe) December 4, 2023

Back in 2016, a terrorist drove a lorry into a crowd in Nice, killing more than 80 people. Within twelve months, similar attacks occurred across Europe, including in Berlin. Other extremists copied and followed suit, thinking this is effective enough. The Islamic State is now signalling to its devotees that they can easily kill people in Europe again.

Cover photo: A series of terrorist attacks compounds the challenges German police officers face  (Photo: AFP)