This past Thursday I reported here at PJ Media on the escalating terror threats directed at Christmas events following the terror attack in Berlin on Monday night that killed 12 and injured dozens of others.
But in the past 48 hours since publishing that article we’ve seen at least two terror incidents and and three foiled terror plots all directed at Christmas events.
And as people around the world gather this evening to commemorate the birth of Jesus, security at churches and other festivities is high.
‼️ #Hungary: This is how it looks at the Christmas market in #Budapest. Protected with an APC. Sad truth. pic.twitter.com/oQFa1geef6
— Onlinemagazin (@OnlineMagazin) December 24, 2016
Indonesian police search a cathedral in Jakarta, a day after foiling plans by an IS-linked group to conduct a Christmas suicide bombing pic.twitter.com/i9jGmS61MY
— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 24, 2016
Yesterday, Tyler O’Neil reported here on the FBI and Homeland Security warning issued about lists of churches being circulated on various forums for ISIS supporters.
It seems those warnings are warranted.
Earlier today as Christians gathered to attend Christmas Eve mass, a bomb exploded at a church in the Philippines, with 13 reported injuries so far:
At least 12 injured in an explosion at a church during Christmas celebration in the restive southern island of Mindanao #Philippines
— News_Executive (@News_Executive) December 24, 2016
As Rita Katz noted a few days ago, the ISIS affiliate in the area bombed a church just last month:
#ISIS‘ Naba claims credit for Nov 27 #Mindanao church bombing & Sept 2 Davao, #Philippines market bombing.
— Rita Katz (@Rita_Katz) December 22, 2016
And yesterday, two Christian men were killed and another injured in Baghdad by an Islamist assassin:
Two Iraqi Christians murdered by an Islamist assassin in Baghdad yesterday, a third seriously injured https://t.co/XS3mvO3mbv
— Patrick Poole (@pspoole) December 24, 2016
I should note that on Christmas Day 2013, separate explosions at three churches in Baghdad killed 37.
Since I published my previous article 48 hours ago, other planned attacks this Christmas holiday weekend have been foiled in Arizona, Germany, and Australia.
On Friday it was announced that a Phoenix-area man, Derrick Thompson aka Abu Talib al-Amriki, had been arrested for plotting an attack in support of ISIS.
According to court documents, among his recent Google searches was “midnight mass.”
INFO: Arizona Jihadist arrested this week was plotting attack for #ISIS, researched “midnight mass” in October https://t.co/JSPR6uHcgu
— Nick Short (@PoliticalShort) December 24, 2016
Interestingly, he was charged by state authorities under a state statute instead of by federal authorities.
Arizona arrested another alleged ISIS supporter. Fourth time AZ used State charges, not Federal for these cases. https://t.co/rz2skGhwBu pic.twitter.com/iCvSH0LWqS
— Seamus Hughes (@SeamusHughes) December 24, 2016
And in Germany, still reeling from Monday’s attack in Berlin and the subsequent manhunt that ended in Italy yesterday, two brothers originally from Kosovo were arrested for planning an attack on the largest shopping mall in Germany:
Two men from Kosovo arrested in Germany on suspicion of planning an attack on a shopping centre in Oberhausen https://t.co/9uud0rIkV0
— Jubal E. Harshaw (@alimhaider) December 23, 2016
An advanced plot was also uncovered in Melbourne, Australia, involving several individuals planning a series of terror attacks across the city on Christmas Day.
Tragedy may have been averted by just two days in Victoria. Police foiled a terrorist plot to target Melbourne landmarks on Christmas Day. pic.twitter.com/f1I5aun1qU
— 7 News Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) December 23, 2016
#Melbourne plot included multi-person/weapon strike with random stabbings, bombings and possible suicide attacks. https://t.co/kf97ER2ifc
— CounterJihad (@CounterJihadUS) December 23, 2016
The Islamic Centre in Melbourne linked to Christmas terror plot https://t.co/qCFsks445e
— Jubal E. Harshaw (@alimhaider) December 24, 2016
On Thursday we learned that two injured victims in the Berlin Christmas market terror attack were from Texas:
Two Americans among those injured in Berlin Christmas market attack, U.S. Embassy official confirms https://t.co/J9ukRxvFSu pic.twitter.com/Pjd35MilrD
— CBS News (@CBSNews) December 22, 2016
And it’s not just Christians being targeted this holiday season, as the Jewish community too is being targeted during their commemoration of Hanukkah:
#Austria #Vienna – Police in Vienna arrest 2 Afghan men outside a Synagogue and found knives on them.
— Terror Events (@TerrorEvents) December 24, 2016
Meanwhile, the anti-Christmas incitement continues and not just from ISIS. There was this interfaith message from a Saudi sheikh:
❶ Wishing Christians a merry Christmas is not permissible by unanimous agreement of the Four Madh’habs.
— Abdul-Aziz al-Tarifi (@Altarefe_En) December 24, 2016
May all those celebrating this weekend be safe, and have a Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
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