ISIS called for attacks during Christmas markets days before nail bomb found ‘on children’s carousel’ near market in Germany
A chilling call by ISIS for militants to attack Christmas markets across Europe was issued days before a nail bomb was found near a market in Germany.
Extremists were said to be circulating sick posters via messaging apps that include the phrase “soon on your holidays” in English, German and French.
Jihadist propaganda also contained images of landmarks – such as the Eiffel Tower – at Christmas time with dark terrorist images, including a hand holding a bloody knife, overlaid on top.
The images were intercepted by BlackOps Cyber, a dark web intelligence agency, the Epoch Times reported .
Tonight, parts of a German city were evacuated after a bomb was found reportedly on a children’s carousel near a Christmas market.
German police has confirmed special forces were deployed to Potsdam market to investigate the item which was handed in to a nearby pharmacy.
A verified police Twitter account, Police Brandenburg_E, said the “IED suspicion has been confirmed” and said an evacuation was under way where the discovery was made.
The post read: “The USBV suspicion has been confirmed. The affected area in the city center of Potsdam must be cleared! Please note our loudspeaker announcements!”
In an update, police said the package had now been defused.
Local media reported the item was apparently found on a children’s carousel at a festive market.
According to reports, the package, which measures 40x50cm, was handed in to a pharmacy, where staff noticed “suspicious wires and technology” inside it.
Police were called at 2.30pm local time and responded by shutting the market while surrounding shops and restaurants were also cleared, Potsdamer Neueste Nachrichten reported.
Pictures shared on social media show police cordons have been put in place near the market while officers have been stationed around the city.
No advanced threats were received before the device was found, it was reported.
Polizei Brandenburg tweeted: “We are currently in the city centre of Potsdam in use because of a suspicious item. A trap has been established already. We have requested special forces! Also the Christmas market is affected.”
Potsdam is the capital of the state of Brandenburg, about 15 miles southwest of Berlin.
It also comes just weeks before the first anniversary of the Berlin truck atrocity.
On December 19 last year, 12 people were killed and 56 were injured when a lorry deliberately ploughed through crowds attending a festive market.
A video found by police showed the driver, a 24-year-old Tunisian named Anis Amri, had pledged allegiance to ISIS.
Source: Mirror
