A 26-year-old Syrian man, suspected of belonging to a terrorist group, has confessed to killing three people and wounding eight others in a knife attack during a street festival in Solingen, western Germany.
The attack took place on Friday night.
The victims, two men aged 56 and 67, and a 56-year-old woman, were among thousands of people attending the festival, which was part of the city’s 650th-anniversary celebrations.
Four of the injured remain in serious condition, with all the victims having been stabbed in the neck.
German police stated that the suspect, identified as Issa Al H., surrendered to authorities and claimed responsibility for the attack.
Prosecutors have launched a “terrorist” investigation, and the suspect is now in pre-trial detention.
He is facing charges of murder, attempted murder, and strong suspicions of belonging to a terrorist group abroad.
The Islamic State (IS) group has claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq propaganda arm, describing the attacker as a “soldier of the Islamic State” who acted as “revenge for Muslims in Palestine and everywhere.” This claim, however, has not been independently verified.
The suspect, who arrived in Germany in December 2022 and held protected immigration status, was not previously known to security services as an extremist.
The attack has heightened concerns about “Islamic terrorism,” which Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck identified as one of Germany’s biggest security threats. He also called for tougher knife laws.
The festival in Solingen, initially intended to celebrate diversity, has been canceled in the wake of the tragedy. Flowers, candles, and messages now line the streets where the attack occurred.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is scheduled to visit the scene on Monday, while Interior Minister Nancy Faeser urged the nation to remain united in the face of the attack, denouncing those who seek to exploit the tragedy to incite hatred.
Germany remains on high alert for extremist attacks, particularly following the eruption of the Gaza conflict. The country has experienced similar tragedies in the past, including the 2016 truck attack at a Berlin Christmas market that killed 12 people.
As Germany prepares for regional elections next week, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has announced plans for a demonstration near the scene of the attack, with a counter-protest also expected.
The AfD has seen increased popularity, particularly in eastern Germany, amid ongoing debates about immigration and security.