IS attacker: Germans "won't be able to sleep peacefully"

[webfact]

IS attacker: Germans "won't be able to sleep peacefully"
By DAVID RISING, KIRSTEN GRIESHABER and TOMISLAV SKARO

ANSBACH, Germany (AP) — A Syrian man who tried unsuccessfully to claim asylum in Germany pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group and vowed the nation's people "won't be able to sleep peacefully anymore" in a cell phone video before blowing himself up outside a wine bar, wounding 15 people, authorities said Monday.

The assailant set off a backpack laden with explosives and shrapnel Sunday night after being refused entry to a crowded music festival in the Bavarian city of Ansbach because he didn't have a ticket.

It was the fourth attack to shake Germany in a week, and the second claimed by the Islamic State group. Three of the attacks were carried out by recent immigrants, rekindling concerns about Germany's ability to cope with the estimated 1 million migrants registered entering the country last year, an influx that has since dwindled as the flow of newcomers slowed.

Bavarian Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann said a laptop with extremist videos was found at the apartment of the suspect, a 27-year-old Syrian identified only as Mohammad D in line with German privacy laws. A video on his cellphone showed him declaring loyalty to the Islamic State group and announcing a "revenge act against Germans because they are standing in the way of Islam."

The suspect also declared Germans "won't be able to sleep peacefully anymore," Herrmann said. "I think after this video there's no doubt that the attack was a terror attack with an Islamist motivation."

In its claim of responsibility, the extremist group said the attack was carried out by "one of the soldiers of the Islamic State."

The IS-linked Aamaq news agency said the attacker acted in response to the extremist group's call to target countries of the U.S.-led coalition fighting it in Iraq and Syria. Germany is not involved in combat operations but has contributed reconnaissance aircraft to the effort.

After the IS connection surfaced, federal prosecutors in Karlsruhe, who investigate all suspected terrorism, took over the case saying they would seek to "determine if thus-far unknown accomplices or backers were involved in the crime."

The suspect came to Germany two years ago and applied for asylum in August 2014, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere said. It turned out that he had already registered in Bulgaria and later in Austria, so Germany rejected his request and ordered him deported to Bulgaria — most recently on July 13.

Asylum-seekers are routinely deported to the first country where they registered if they don't follow proper procedures, even if they're considered to have a legitimate asylum claim.

De Maiziere said the man had attempted to take his own life twice before in Germany, and had been in psychiatric care.

Roman Fertinger, deputy police chief of nearby Nuremberg, said it was clear the suspect wanted to kill others, not just himself, in Sunday's attack.

"This was about destroying innocent bystanders," he said.

Sunday's attack culminated a week of violent assaults. On July 18, a 17-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker wounded five people with an ax before being killed by police near the Bavarian city of Wuerzburg in an attack that was also claimed by the Islamic State group.

On Friday, the 18-year-old son of Iranian immigrants went on a rampage at a Munich mall, killing nine people and wounding dozens. Authorities say he was undergoing psychiatric treatment and had no known links to terrorism.

And on Sunday, hours before the Ansbach attack, a Syrian man killed a woman with a knife in the southwestern city of Reutlingen before being captured by police in an incident authorities say was not believed linked to terrorism.

"Naturally people are concerned and are questioning whether they should change their routines," de Maiziere said. "We should not. ... We should continue to live our free lives."

Still, he said he had ordered an increased security presence at airports, train stations and elsewhere in the wake of the attacks.

"I understand that many people feel unsettled," he said.

The attack in Ansbach, a serene city of about 40,000 west of Nuremberg, came near the end of the closing night of a popular open-air music festival being attended by about 2,000 people.

In the wake of the Munich attack, city officials had ordered extra security and bag checks at the festival entrance, but the man never got that far because he didn't have a ticket, Mayor Carda Seidel said.

Fertinger said there likely would have been more casualties if the man had not been turned away. Four of the 15 victims suffered serious injuries.

Resident Claudia Frosch said she saw the suspect pacing in the street with a backpack, headphones and a cellphone before she entered a nearby cafe. Minutes later, "there was a very loud bang" and people started streaming into the building, covered in blood, she said.

"Everyone was shocked, nobody could help anyone, we didn't know what to do," she said.

In the aftermath, she said "obviously we now have more fear."

"I don't have anything against foreigners, asylum-seekers, I don't feel anything more against them," she said. "But obviously if I would see one with a backpack I will have more fear. I would be more cautious."

An Iranian asylum-seeker who lived in the same shelter as the assailant, said he had occasionally drunk coffee with the man and they had discussed religion. Alireza Khodadadi told The Associated Press that the suspect had insisted that the Islamic State group was not representative of Islam.

"He always said that, 'No, I'm not with them, I don't like them' and such stuff. But I think he had some issues because, you know, he told lies so often without any reason, and I understand that he wants to be in the center of (attention), you know, he needed (attention)," Khodadadi said.

A team of 30 investigators was interviewing the man's acquaintances and examining evidence collected from his home.

The U.S. military has a facility in Ansbach, and following the attack it increased security there.

In Munich, meanwhile, authorities said Monday that a 16-year-old Afghan friend of the gunman who carried out the mall attack may have known of the assailant's plan in advance.

The teen was taken into custody late Sunday for questioning after police said they were able to retrieve a deleted chat between him and the suspect on the messaging app WhatsApp.

Police said the chat appeared to show that the 16-year-old met with the attacker immediately before the shooting started, and knew that he had a pistol.

Investigators say the two met last year as in-patients at a psychiatric ward. Both were being treated for online game addiction, among other things, they said.

___

Grieshaber and Rising reported from Berlin. Frank Jordans in Berlin, Hakan Kaplan in Ansbach and Bassem Mroue in Beirut contributed to this report.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-07-26

[arjunadawn]

No, Germans will not be able to sleep. That's the plan. Jihad is the vehicle but it is not the driver. With Juncker doubling down and saying no matter the degree of terror EU will continue to replace the population, it's clear this is happening to Europe, not happening in Europe. Greatest Grand Larceny in the history of the world.

[boomerangutang]

there are sooooo many ramifications of new wave of crazies set loose in Europe. It's not the Europe I grew up in, in the 1950's. Back then, as a 6 and 7 yr old kid, I traveled solo on public trains and buses around Paris, without a care (I was an American kid with my family in France for 2 yrs). Now people are afeared to step outside their homes.

Thankfully, now in my adopted town of Chiang Rai, things are relatively safe. Each day I see kids strolling / frollicking around as kids should be able to do. Even drivers are getting more polite for some odd reasons. I've seen Thai drivers stopping to let a pedestrian cross a street!

Meanwhile, in Germany and France and Sweden and UK (and Florida), teenagers are in danger of being blown up or shot if they go to gather together to frolic and listen to music. Islamist radicals are bent on inflicting psychological and physical harm upon the people they're jealous of (and/or angry at) ....and it's working.

[lostinisaan]

I Ansback is only 40 minutes away from the city where I grew up. Reading that in the early morning hours makes me sick and angry.

A video on his cellphone showed him declaring loyalty to the Islamic State group and announcing a "revenge act against Germans because they are standing in the way of Islam."

Fly them to Mars and let them have their colony there.

[Thian]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

[MJP]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

Generation Snowflake don't wear jack boots.

[NongKhaiKid]

I'll bet Angie gets the ' untroubled sleep of the innocent '.

[spacebass]

Looks like Hitler targeted the wrong group.

[daveAustin]

Meanwhile, in Germany and France and Sweden and UK (and Florida), teenagers are in danger of being blown up or shot if they go to gather together to frolic and listen to music. Islamist radicals are bent on inflicting psychological and physical harm upon the people they're jealous of (and/or angry at) ....and it's working.

The islamification of Europe doesn't paint a rosy picture for sure, but having recently spent a lot of time in the UK, I see no evidence of the above as a result. If there are fewer kids on the streets, it is likely more a product of the digital age: ie, they are in doors playing on their Xbox, staring at their iPad or mincing about on Facebook.

[Mosha]

At least thanks to the media, we know these IS supporters and fighters aren't terrorists. They are just mental health patients.

Sent from my SMART_4G_Speedy_5inch using Tapatalk

[NongKhaiKid]

The BBC are saying that Germany is to step up security at ports and airports after the recent incidents.

Increased security is always good but Angie they were already in the country and for a couple no thanks to you.

[MissAndry]

Looks like Hitler targeted the wrong group.

He targeted the same racial group (semites).

[happy Joe]

My grandfather would have said:

"Ethnic minorities take big risks to tease the Germans too long."

[lostinisaan]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

How will that look like? German suicide bombers in Iraq? 124 Neo Nazis killing one 16 year old Arab?

Merkel's photo eating a Bratwurst made out of pork as a weapon to scare the shiet' out of them until they all leave Germany?

Oh, wait. Germany will send them all to the UK, using "the tunnel" with fake Scottish passports?

Migrants will get 3 Euro less per month? TVF members fly to Germany and strangle all people who look like terrorists?

Or maybe all Germans convert to Islam and build some nuclear weapons?

....and nobody is going to like the answers.

Edited July 26, 2016 by lostinisaan

[lostinisaan]

Looks like Hitler targeted the wrong group.

He targeted the same racial group (semites).

And somewhere in Austria is a guy preparing his speeches in front of a mirror with a funny looking mustache....

[lannarebirth]

Looks like Hitler targeted the wrong group.

Actually, Hitler was in kahoots with the Islamic world against common enemies, though I believe he personally considered them a lower order of people compared to Germans.

[yogi100]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

Whatever the answer turns out to be this time it will be entitely justified.

[northernphil]

The BBC are saying that Germany is to step up security at ports and airports after the recent incidents.

Increased security is always good but Angie they were already in the country and for a couple no thanks to you.

Yep NKK. Stable door , bolting horse door shut , comes to mind.

[Sydebolle]

It won't be long and all those goat shaggers and fidels will not sleep peacefully anymore - it's time for them to meet the real master and in Germany they might have landed the jackpot.
I - for one - believe that only extreme force can put these maniacs into place and this will include, regretfully, collateral damages.

A real refugee is grateful for everything and does not insist on halal lamb or veal but settles for anything else; neither throws sealed water bottles out of a train carriage because the bottled has a red cross (latter paid for is) on its label.

It's time to call a turkey a turkey and a goose a goose - everything else is suicidal for the cradle of Europe.

[rethaier]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

Hogwash. Germany will not reply but maybe some of the German people will.

[MissAndry]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

How will that look like? German suicide bombers in Iraq? 124 Neo Nazis killing one 16 year old Arab?

It will look exactly the same as it looked in the 1930s. First they will be told to leave 'or else' .........

[smudger1951]

I can only say Paul Westons essay on the future will come true. Angela Merkel will be long gone but her part in undermining Europe will not be forgotten.

[tomacht8]

Interesting.
Germany has many research and survey institutions.
This year there was not a single survey on immigration.

From the last survey February 2015
Almost two thirds of Germans are against immigration from countries outside the European Union. This is apparent from the national evaluation of the recent Euro barometer on behalf of the EU Commission. Thus, the Germans are with their attitudes (61 percent against) something more critical than the average of all Europeans surveyed, of which 57 percent reject immigrants from non-EU countries. The issue of immigration is for the Germans the most important problem in Europe, even before the debt crisis.

Still higher than in Germany is rejecting about in Italy (75 percent), Latvia (79) and in Slovakia (74), low in Sweden (25) United Kingdom (57) and France (58).

Hope it comes to mass demonstrations and we can rectify this, before it comes to a civil war.

European Politicians govern against their own people.
How crazy is that.
Merkel must step down immediately as all her deaf helpers.

[The Deerhunter]

Germany will reply to all this soon....and nobody is gonna like the answer.

As long as Angela is running the show, the answer will not change, regardless of the implications of the kind of Germany she is trying to hand to her grand-daughters. She knows better for all Germans what they really want............. I just soooooo wish to be wrong!!!

Edited July 26, 2016 by The Deerhunter

[JHolmesJr]

The muzzlim situation in all of europe, US, Australia and the UK can be likened to dirty water.

You can filter dirty water.

How the hell do you filter out the filth in this religion?

[lostinisaan]

It's totally weird when I think about my time in Germany from 1960- 2000.

Being a member of the green party, trying to help here and there, then the various Nazi demos where I almost got thrown in jail because I "completely disagreed" with these brainless guys, their hateful posters, boots, clothes and behavior.

I couldn't believe it when four of them were trying to kick my backside and the cops were protecting the brown rats?

Genetically modified maize plants near our town, no way and we destroyed a few Rai. Of course did that go to court because the American company wanted to have a lot of cash for something that shouldn't be allowed to grow. Comparing the brown boys with the Arabic counterparts is like comparing apples with durian.

Having a 15 year distance to the country where I was born and grew up should make it easier to come to a conclusion how to solve all the problems Germany is suffering of \these days.

But, hell no, I start to believe that the brown boys were right with their posters that there are too many non Germans who rape the system.

I changed my mind regarding the green party, as well as my opinion of certain politicians who had a very big mouth when they're a couple of years younger.

Does Germany really need a new Baader Meinhof group to make a wake up call?

Scary for me is that I'd rather sympathize with the brown boys now than with some radical Muslims who demonstrate against their pork eating enemies who feed them, give them shelter and education?

I feel very sorry for the younger generations who'll have to grow up in Multicultural circumstances, pay taxes for all the rapers, thiefs and medical expenses for all who knock on Germany's door.

If I were 19 now and live in Germany, would I really like to have kids in such an environment? I don't think so.

It's way too late to send those back who only left their countries because they want a Mercedes Benz, not a little Fiat. It's way to late to find out who all the sleepers are, as they seem to have more fake passports than the German government can print in one month.,

When all the Mohammed's became Franz, Hans and Nina some politicians might wake up and resign.

Just the thought I prefer that Neo Nazis to some Jihad warriors gives me a big headache.

I'm more than happy that I'm far way from Europe and that I'm maybe too old to see the downfall of Europe.

If countries like the UK believe that they're better of, they're wrong.

Please try to find a native dutch speaking guy in Amsterdam, not long and it's similar in Germany.

It isn't yet called Muslimland, when I still lived there people called it Deutschland.

Thais do not seem to understand that they are basically in the same boat and already lost the war in the south. They're pretty good in not reporting killed Buddhist people, usually teachers and those who are in their way.

Edited July 26, 2016 by lostinisaan

[Mich28]

Week ago newspapers wrote about an Afghan who attacked train passengers with an axe in Wuerzburg. Three days ago was an incident in Munich when an Iranian teenager shot at people. Now the Syrian in Ansbach. Who will be the next? And where?

[HenryB]

Looks like Hitler targeted the wrong group.

I have been saying for years the Germans Killed Jews and Replace them with Real Killers. Hilter was just a Big Fooll

Time has show it

Too late for that country

[The Deerhunter]

Dear Angela,

Why do you let the rough kids from the other side of town come to play in your yard? They insist you supply the ball and all other equipment but they only want to play their particular game. They insist on making all the rules and will not let any other games be played since they started coming over. Even when they cheat or get violent you give them extra points instead of kicking them out, which only sets a bad example. They demand special concessions and special food from you just to be there when you don't even need them to be there anyway. They are not good guests and our girls all complain that too many of their boys try to do dirty things all the time. If you were 7 years old I would say you were scared of them, but you are not! Enough is enough. Angela, are you listening? Put your foot down and stop the games now, before it is too late!

[stander]

Who said "comedy was dead at the BBC?" Hillarious BBC rucksack bomber headline......