Germany: Security Boosted at Cologne Cathedral for Christmas Amid Looming Threat

German police have said they were increasing security at Cologne Cathedral following indications of an attack planned for New Year’s Eve. This heightening of security came in the wake of government warnings about the rising threat of Islamist violence.

The police said they would use tracker dogs to check the cathedral after evening mass and then close it off. On Sunday, Christmas Eve, they would carry out a security check on all visitors, and recommended they get to services early. Police said they could not elaborate, citing the ongoing investigation. The security authorities in Austria, Germany and Spain had received indications an Islamist group wants to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year festivities, German newspaper Bild reported.

In recent weeks, German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has warned of the rising threat of Islamist violence in Germany and elsewhere in Europe as the Israel-Hamas war increases the risk of radicalisation. Austrian police said in a statement they were increasing security on churches and Christmas markets given a heightened state of alert. “Given that terrorist actors throughout Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events, especially around Dec. 24, the security authorities have taken the corresponding protection measures in public spaces,” the police was quoted as saying by Reuters.

Even amid security warnings across Europe in the wake of the war between Israel and Hamas, holiday travel is reaching peak levels. Despite cautionary advisories, popular Christmas markets and tourist sites in cities like Munich and Paris are bustling with activity.

European security officials, in late November, underscored a growing risk of attacks linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict, warning about the threat posed by potential “lone wolf” attacks. In early December, the European Union’s home affairs commissioner warned that Europe faces a “huge risk of terrorist attacks” over the Christmas holiday period due to the fallout from the war between Israel and Hamas.

(With agency inputs)