Response from Berlin

German Christmas markets open these days, many cities are already decorated. And yet this year’s Christmas will not be carefree either, due to the two wars that are raging and the increase in threats of attacks and strikes internationally.

The terrorist threat for Christmas this year may be described as “general”, however what is required on Christmas outings, especially in German Christmas markets, is vigilance.

The German sub. Interior Nancy Feser warned on Thursday about the risk of strikes in Christmas markets.

The new warning indirectly concerns mainly the Islamist threat. Islamic terrorists choose Christmas markets for strikes because of the religious background and symbolism of Christmas, which is identified with the Western way of life and Western culture.

No knives

According to the German security authorities, as reported by German media, today the threats are multiple. However, the biggest threat to strikes during the holiday season in Germany comes from the field of Islamic terrorism, as a representative of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution told the RND network.

Speaking to the German news agency dpa, the head of the Police Union, Jochen Koppele, emphasizes that the German secret services are carefully monitoring the situation. “We exchange information with our European partners, we ask questions every day,” he says. Although there is no “specific risk” yet, Christmas markets need to be protected and offer security.

The German authorities are mainly targeting the Islamic State and its offshoots. All over Germany this year there will be strict controls on Christmas markets as well as a ban on the use of knives, just like what happened at Munich’s Oktoberfest, reports Bavarian Radio.

In fact, exorbitant fines of up to 10,000 euros are foreseen for violators. These measures were taken in the wake of the terrorist attack in Solingen last summer.