Authorities are still searching for the perpetrator of a knife attack that killed three people and wounded eight others in Solingen, Germany. ISIL (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that the perpetrator targeted Christians as a “soldier of the Islamic State.” The attack took place during a festival to mark Solingen’s 650th anniversary, with thousands of people in attendance.
A 15-year-old boy was arrested after witnesses reported a conversation he had before the attack that seemed to correspond with the events that followed. Police also raided a home for asylum seekers in the city center. While authorities have not identified a motive for the attack, they are not ruling out the possibility of terrorism.
Germany’s top security officials visited Solingen to offer support to the city and its residents. The attack has not been classified as a terrorist act, but it has been described as an act of terror against the security and freedom of the country. Authorities have warned people to remain vigilant until the perpetrator is found.
The Festival of Diversity, celebrating Solingen’s anniversary, has been cancelled following the attack. The community is in shock and grief, with residents placing candles and flowers at the scene of the attack. Churches in Solingen have opened their doors to offer support and a space for prayer.
ISIL’s claim of responsibility for the attack comes as the group has faced territorial defeats in Iraq and Syria. Authorities are continuing to gather evidence and information on the attack as they work to bring the perpetrator to justice.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
