(New York, NY) - On Sunday, German federal prosecutors took over the investigation following Friday’s knife attack in Solingen, Germany, which killed three and injured eight others, four of whom sustained serious injuries. After a day-long manhunt, the assailant, identified as Syrian-born Issa Al H., turned himself over to the police. Investigators suspect terrorism as the motive, claiming that Issa Al H. is a member of a terrorist organization abroad. The attacks occurred during a festival celebrating Solingen’s 650th anniversary.

On August 24, ISIS released a text statement via its Amaq news outlet claiming responsibility for the attack and calling the suspect “a soldier” attacking “a gathering of Christians…[taking] revenge for the Muslims in Palestine and elsewhere.” On August 25, Amaq released a video of the suspected attacker,  including a statement likely made before the assault. Although ISIS’s claims could not be verified, Germany’s Office of the Federal Prosecutor claimed the suspect shared the terror network’s radical ideology to “kill the largest possible number of unbelievers.” Media reports also indicate that towards the end of the video a billboard is partially visible that resembles a billboard close to the scene of the attack in Solingen.

Online, ISIS supporters praised the attack on Telegram and RocketChat, commending the success of an attack in Europe in particular. On one such pro-ISIS Telegram channel, followers stated that Germany should be targeted because it “is considered the second largest supporter of the Jews after the United States of America.”

Expert Analysis

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler:

“From what we know so far, this looks to be an attack inspired by ISIS—that is, with very little direction or preparation from the group itself, but claimed by them after the perpetrator pledged allegiance. ISIS has been directing its followers on the ground to carry out knife attacks like this—and even releasing instructional videos on how to make them more effective—because they require very little planning and are therefore difficult to detect and prevent.

This is in contrast to the kind of direct attempt we saw in Vienna earlier this month. Those attacks, which require more effort to plan and organize, are unfortunately also on the rise in Europe. Groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda have more breathing room to plan them, now that the West has significantly reduced its military involvement  in all relevant states and regions from which these groups operate.”

CEP Resources:

To read CEP’s research on ISIS, please click here.

To read CEP’s country report on Germany, please click here.