Authorities in western Germany are continuing their search for the perpetrator of a knife attack in Solingen that left three people dead and eight others wounded. The ISIL (ISIS) group has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the perpetrator targeted Christians as an act of revenge for Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere. The attack occurred during celebrations marking Solingen’s 650th anniversary, with thousands of people gathered in a central square.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested in connection with the attack after witnesses heard him discussing plans that corresponded to the events that unfolded. Police have also raided a home for asylum seekers in the city. The motive behind the attack is still unclear, but authorities are not ruling out the possibility of terrorism.
Germany’s Minister of the Interior and Community Nancy Faeser visited Solingen to show support for the city and its residents. She vowed that the government would do everything possible to prevent such attacks from dividing society. While some officials have described the incident as an act of terror, the country’s top security official has not classified it as such.
The attack has prompted heightened security measures in the area, with police urging vigilance until the perpetrator is found. The Festival of Diversity, which was part of Solingen’s anniversary celebrations, has been canceled in light of the tragedy. The community is in mourning, with residents placing candles and flowers at the scene of the attack and seeking solace in churches offering prayer and pastoral care.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
