Islamists from the ISPK group are said to have planned attacks in Vienna, Cologne and Madrid. According to information, places of worship such as St. Stephen’s Cathedral were targeted during the holidays. Read here what makes the group so dangerous.
The ISPK, Islamic State in Khorasan Province, is currently considered by the intelligence services to be the most dangerous terrorist organization specifically smuggling terrorists into Europe.
And: A seven-member Islamist Tajik cell of the ISPK was blown up in Germany and the Netherlands in the summer. They had also planned a major terrorist attack and had already spied on possible targets. They were smuggled from Ukraine via Poland to Germany disguised as war refugees with false documents.
Even more radical than the Taliban
The terrorists are a splinter group of the Islamic State (IS). After it was dismantled, the organization’s members dispersed. “Many of them are in Africa. But the currently most active one is called ISPK (also ISKP or ISIS-K) and is based in Central Asia,” reports Peter R. Neumann, professor of security studies at King’s College London.
The extremism researcher about the current threat situation:
The “K” in ISPK stands for “Khorasan” and therefore for a historical region in Central Asia. The group that is said to be behind the current attack plans probably has its origins in Afghanistan. The terrorists there are fighting against lax political leadership. However, the ISPK supporters have so far only managed to capture a few villages. As a reminder, the country has been ruled by Taliban terrorists since the withdrawal of Western troops.
Attacks are intended to strengthen domestic politics
“As is often the case, the group responded to internal failure with a strategy of externalization. In recent years, ISPK has increasingly attacked targets in the ‘neighborhood’ and also recruited fighters there,” Neumann explains on Platform X. He mentions countries such as Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
In recent years, terrorists have expanded their network. Investigations following arrests in the West increasingly lead to ISPK in Central Asia. According to the extremism expert, they are probably the only IS branch currently capable of carrying out a major, coordinated attack in the West. The main purpose of assassinations in the West is to increase fame at home.
When the cell was opened in the summer, the aim of those arrested was “to carry out high-profile attacks in Germany in the spirit of IS,” investigators explained at the time. The current case shows the danger posed by the Islamists.
Controls are being tightened
In Vienna, protective measures in public spaces and in the federal states have therefore been tightened; High-risk places and objects – such as churches, religious events, church services and Christmas markets – are increasingly monitored, according to the police. Civilian and uniformed emergency services are deployed with special equipment and long weapons. If necessary, access controls can also be carried out.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
