UPDATE: Police have made arrests in this case, but the manhunt for the original suspect apparently continues.
German police arrest two people in #Chemnitz after explosives found in apartment raided during search for man suspected of planning bombing
— Sky News Newsdesk (@SkyNewsBreak) October 8, 2016
BREAKING: German police: “Several hundred grams” of explosives found in raided apartment linked to alleged bomb plot.
— The Associated Press (@AP) October 8, 2016
Original Post: A massive manhunt is underway in the German city of Chemnitz and the town is currently on lockdown as they seek a terror suspect who entered the country last year as a Syrian refugee.
According to reports, 22-year old Jaber Albakr was planning a bomb attack on an airport and slipped police surveillance.
Currently running a large-scale operation in #Chemnitz because of the suspicion of a planned bomb attack.
— Polizei Sachsen (@PolizeiSachsen) October 8, 2016
Major police operation in Chemnitz, Germany. Reportedly explosives found. https://t.co/Yq4Sbj19HS
— Björn Stritzel (@bjoernstritzel) October 8, 2016
#Saxony Police release picture of #Chemnitz bomb threat suspect, Jaber Albakr. Saxony Police says #Albakr is from #Syria.#Germany pic.twitter.com/Mdrdh8HIpn
— Ahmed Hassan (@SHAWSHANK5) October 8, 2016
This follows two previous terror attacks in Germany this past July by an Afghan refugee and a Syrian asylum seeker who was scheduled for deportation.
The Daily Mail reports:
A German city is in lockdown as armed police are hunting for a man suspected of planning a bomb attack on an airport.
The suspect has been named as Jaber Albakr – a Syrian who was under surveillance by the Federal Office for Constitutional Protection in Cologne, say reports.
He is a 22-year-old who was born in Damascus.
He is suspected of plotting a bomb attack on a German airport, according to Online Focus.
It is understood the suspect entered Germany last year with refugees from Syria.
Residents have been ordered to remain indoors as large-scale closures and evacuations take place in the town and the suspect remains at large.
Within the locked area please stay in your homes and follow the instructions of the police (here and on site).
— Polizei Sachsen (@PolizeiSachsen) October 8, 2016
Police suspect Islamist link in #Chemnitz bomb raid https://t.co/JnTvBbQxdR pic.twitter.com/47Edvoahyx
— dwnews (@dwnews) October 8, 2016
Here is some video from the scene today:
Germans are already on edge from two attacks claimed by the Islamic State in July — an axe rampage on a train in Wuerzburg that injured five and a suicide bombing in Ansbach that left 15 wounded.
The Weurzburg train terror attack was committed by a 17-year old Afghan refugee who was “seeking revenge on these infidels.”
ISIS media outlets released a video of the attacker declaring allegiance to the group:
Authorities later found an ISIS flag in his apartment and evidence he had been communicating directly with ISIS operatives:
Wuerzburg Train Attack: ISIS Flag Found in Teen Attacker’s Room in Germany – NBC News https://t.co/ToPl4YcwEb
— EthemAydinOrhonHunt (@truthjbtwit) August 23, 2016
.@thomasjoscelyn details Riaz Khan’s conversation with an ISIS operative just before he attacked passengers on a train in Würzburg, Germany. pic.twitter.com/BlGCUgR7ou
— Gartenstein-Ross (@DaveedGR) September 24, 2016
And the Ansbach suicide bomber was a 27-year old Syrian who had claimed asylum but was scheduled to be deported. He set off his bomb outside a music festival after he had been denied entrance.
UPDATE: Anbach suicide bomber identified as 27-year-old Syrian man denied asylum in 2015 https://t.co/dXzMFh7fId pic.twitter.com/FUG3pygdU2
— New York Daily News (@NYDailyNews) July 25, 2016
ISIS claimed that attack as well:
#ISIS claims responsibility for attack outside German music festival (AMAQ agency) https://t.co/LdSF5PnOUj#Anbachpic.twitter.com/UCyUS0lDCW
— FRANCE 24 (@FRANCE24) July 25, 2016
Yet another terror-related incident by a Muslim refugee is sure to heat up the immigration debate in Germany as anti-immigration parties have gained seats in recent local and regional elections.
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