2016 Ludwigshafen attempted bombings
On 16 December 2016, a bombing plot was uncovered in Ludwigshafen, Germany. A 12-year-old, who is a German and Iraqi citizen, was reported to be the perpetrator. He was directed by ISIL to build two nail bombs and plant them at the local christmas market and near a shopping centre.[1]
Incidents
After the first attempt failed at the christmas market on 26 November and the bomb did not explode, he tried a second time on 5 December near the mall and the town hall of Ludwigshafen. It was reported that the boy had been radicalised and instructed by an unidentified ISIL member and also planned to join the group in Syria over the summer. The German federal prosecuter (Generalbundesanwalt) announced an investigation on his motives. Also authorities try to trace any associates.[1] The boy is the youngest child recruited from Germany by ISIL so far; a 13-year-old had been recruited to fight in Syria before. The state youth welfare office took care of the boy.[2]
Reactions
- Steffen Seibert, spokesman of the German Federal Government, said: "This is certainly a report that scares everyone."[3]
- Peter Altmaier, German Federal Minister of the Chancellory, said that the authorities were "sensitized". They had to investigate if the child was radicalised at home or through the internet.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b Isis directs 12-year-old boy to attempt bombing of German Christmas market, Independent.co.uk, 16 December 2016
- ^ Um den Terrorverdächtigen kümmert sich nun das Jugendamt, Die Welt, 16 December 2016, in German
- ^ a b Zwölfjähriger plante offenbar Anschlag in Ludwigshafen, Reuters.com, 16 December 2016, in German