Terrorial attack in Mulhouse: A dead at a knife attack on police officers

Terrorial attack in Mulhouse: A dead at a knife attack on police officers

Mulhouse, Frankreich - On Saturday afternoon there was a terrifying incident in Mulhouse when a 37-year-old Algerier, Brahim A., stood up with a knife on several police officers. This brutal assassination attempt took place in front of the covered market, where a solidarity rally for the Democratic Republic of Congo was held. During the attack, the perpetrator called "Allahu Akbar", an expression that is often associated with Islamist terrorist attacks. Tragically, a 69-year-old Portuguese, who wanted to buy vegetables, stood protectively in front of the police and was fatally injured. In total, at least three officials suffered injuries, one of them seriously.

Brahim A. could be overwhelmed and arrested by the police, and this was done without the use of firearms. The anti-terrorist prosecutor has initiated an investigation into murder and attempted murder with a terrorist motive. France President Emmanuel Macron described the incident as Islamist terrorist attack, which increases concern about the continued threat from terrorism in France

context and history

Brahim A. was already known to the police. He had been in prison for four months for four months for the glorification of terrorism. After his release, he was under house arrest and had to report to the commissioner every day. On the day of the attack, however, he refused to sign the control papers. He was also on an observation list for potentially radicalized persons, with his return to Algeria prevented by an “Obligation de Quitter Le Territoire Français” (OQTF). Despite several requests, Algeria had rejected Brahim A.

The incident triggered great grief and dismay in Mulhouse and nationwide. This is done in a context in which France had not had any fatalities by terrorists since December 2023. The year 2024 was even the first year since 2015 without a terrorist victim, which makes the current situation all the more unexpected and terrifying. This development represents a significant break in the severe Islamist terrorist attacks that France shaked in recent years, including the attacks of November 13, 2015, in which over 130 people were killed.

long -term challenges from terrorism

Islamist terrorism has been present in France since the 1990s and has changed over the years. After the Islamic State (IS) has lost its territorial rule in Syria and Iraq, the Jihadist-Salafist milieu has been restructured. The breakdown of central recruitment networks has led to an increase in "alone" and inspired attacks. The murder of teacher Samuel Paty 2020 is an example of this worrying development.

The incident in Mulhaus shows that the threat from Islamist terrorism is still a major challenge for France, despite the previously positive developments in the security situation. The government's reactions and the security authorities to this new act of violence will be crucial to prevent future attacks and to offer the population security.

These and similar incidents require a careful analysis of the causes of Islamist terror as well as extensive political measures that pursue the goal of a stable and safe society. The debate about the underlying causes and the most effective response strategies has made crucial importance in French politics.

Süddeutsche Zeitung | BPB | bpb