Germany’s beloved Christmas markets will open this weekend under unprecedented security measures. Authorities are on high alert for potential attacks by Islamist extremists and other violent actors, following recent incidents that have heightened fears.
The heightened vigilance comes after a tragic knife attack in Solingen in August, where a Syrian national fatally stabbed three people. In response, German security officials raised the risk level for terror attacks at public events, including Christmas markets.
Nationwide, a ban on carrying knives at public events has been in effect since October 31. Visitors to the markets will face security checks at entrances, and plainclothes officers will patrol the crowds. Additional measures, such as concrete barriers and anti-vehicle bollards, aim to prevent attacks like the 2016 Berlin truck attack that killed 12 people.
Hesse’s Interior Minister Roman Poseck emphasized the government’s commitment to safety, declaring, “We are waging war against knife violence. Through a strong police presence and increased controls, we ensure maximum safety at our Christmas markets.”
Major markets in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund will deploy advanced anti-terror tools, while in Lower Saxony, heavily armed police will patrol markets in cities like Hanover and Braunschweig.
Authorities stress that Christmas markets could be symbolic targets for ideologically motivated attackers. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul urged vigilance, saying, “We must remain alert and report anything suspicious, as no security measure is foolproof.