Meanwhile, in Germany- Aktualisiert (wieder)

 

There has been what is apparently a major terrorist attack at a Weihnachtsmarkt- Christmas Fair- in Berlin near the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Die Welt reports that the police had been picking up evidence for days that an attack of this kind was being planned and Die Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports that it is being compared to the Nizza attack in the summer. As of this moment, the number killed is listed as 9, the number wounded as 50. Please pray for the injured and the families of those murdered.

UPDATE: Here is the opening paragraph of the current story on the attacks as it appears on the Frankfurter Allgemeine online:

Die deutschen Sicherheitsbehörden haben den nach dem mutmaßlichen Terroranschlag auf einen Berliner Weihnachtsmarkt festgenommenen Verdächtigen unter dem Namen Naved B. als mutmaßlichen Flüchtling identifiziert. Der wohl 23 Jahre alte Mann habe zwei Alias-Namen geführt, die dem erstgenannten Namen sehr ähnlich seien, erfuhr die Deutsche Presse-Agentur am Dienstag aus Sicherheitskreisen. Auch die Tageszeitung „Die Welt“ hatte den Namen genannt.

German Security Forces have identified the suspect who was apprehended after the suspected terrorist attack at a Berlin Christmas Fair under the name Naved B., likely a refugee. The 23-year-old male had been using two aliases that were similar to the first name mentioned here, according to information that the German Press Agency got from police and security personnel on Tuesday. The newspaper “Die Welt” also reported this name.

Chancellor Merkel is going a bit further than die Allgemeine, saying that a terrorist attack must be assumed at this point, here quoted from Die Welt:

„Wir müssen von einem Terroranschlag ausgehen“: Kanzlerin Angela Merkel zeigt sich nach der Lkw-Todesfahrt in Berlin schockiert. Sie äußert sich zum mutmaßlichen Flüchtlingsstatus des Tatverdächtigen

“We have to assume a terrorist attack”: Chancellor Angela Merkel appeared visibly shocked after the deadly truck attack in Berlin. She made a statement concerning the likely refugee status of the suspect.

And that statement was:

Die Tat ist denen gegenüber besonders widerwärtig, die dringend unseren Schutz benötigen und gegenüber denen, die sich in der Flüchtlingskrise engagieren.

“The act is especially detestable toward those who really need our protection and those who have dedicated themselves to helping refugees.”

 Die Zeit online gives a little bit more information about the attacker and his passenger:

  • Die Polizei hat bestätigt, dass der Beifahrer getötet wurde. Es handelt sich um einen polnischen Staatsbürger. Der Mann hat den Lkw nach Polizeiangaben nicht gesteuert. Laut der polnischen Botschaft in Berlin ist er jünger als 40 Jahre und war polizeilich unauffällig. 
  • Der Fahrer des Wagens war nach dem Vorfall geflüchtet. Die Polizei hatte anschließend einen Mann festgenommen. Sie klärt derzeit, ob es sich um den Fahrer des Lastwagens handelt. Nach Informationen von ZEIT ONLINE handelt es sich bei dem Tatverdächtigen um einen 23-jährigen Pakistaner, der – je nach Schreibweise – auf den Namen Naved oder Navid B. hört. Er wurde laut den offiziellen Papieren am 1.1.1993 geboren und kam über die Balkanroute nach Deutschland.

Which is to say:

  • The police confirmed that the passenger was killed [note: other reports say he was shot but not by whom]. He was a Polish national. He did not drive the truck, according to the police. According to the Polish embassy in Berlin he is less than 40 years of age and did not have a police record.
  • The truck’s driver fled after the incident. The police then apprehended a man. They are currently clarifying whether he was the man driving the truck. According to information provided to ZEIT ONLINE the suspect is a 23-year-old Pakistani who — with some orthographic variation– is named either Naved or Navid B. According to the official papers he was born 1.1.1993 and came to Germany via the so-called Balkan Route.

That’s it for now. I will update again later as time allows.

UPDATE: And time has finally allowed. The authorities have now stated that the man apprehended immediately after the incident was not the man who used the truck to kill 12 and injure 48.

Der Mann, der den Lkw auf den Weihnachtsmarkt an der Berliner Gedächtniskirche steuerte, soll nach „Welt“-Informationen aus Tunesien stammen. Im Fußraum des Führerhauses des Lkw wurde ein Duldungsschreiben mit den Personalien von Anis A. gefunden.

Der 23-Jährige, 1992 in der tunesischen Stadt Tataouine geboren, soll mindestens vier Namen benutzen und als Gefährder gelten. Zudem hat er offenbar einen Wohnsitz in Berlin und in NRW.

Nach Informationen der „SZ“ hatte er im April 2016 Asyl in Deutschland beantragt. Der Antrag wurde jedoch abgelehnt, A. daraufhin in der Bundesrepublik geduldet.

The man who drove the truck into the Christmas Fair in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm Church in Berlin allegedly comes from Tunisia, according to information provided to “Die Welt”.

The 23-year old, who was reportedly born in 1992 in the Tunesian city of Tataouine, is reported to use at least four names and is considered dangerous. Additionally, he appears to have residences both in Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.

According to information provided to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, he applied for asylmum in Germany in April of 2016. The petition, however, was rejected. A. was then “tolerated” in the Federal Republic. [Note: “tolerated” is an official legal status for asylum seekers whose petitions have been rejected but who have not yet been deported.]

 

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  1. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    The Beeb:

    Police now say they suspect it was a deliberate attack. Video footage from the scene shows stalls knocked over and people lying injured on the ground.
    The driver is on the run, German media report.
    The market is at Breitscheidplatz close to the Kurfuerstendamm, the main shopping street in the city’s west.
    A reporter for the Berliner Morgenpost described a “gruesome scene”.

    I’d throw them a link, but I’m on my phone.

    • #1
  2. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    This is terrible, but an obvious attack by, I’m going to go out on a limb here, Islamists. I hope Europe realizes the Pandora’s box they’ve opened up letting these people in. Using cars to plow through events is a horrific new tactic by these monsters.

    Praying for the souls of those killed and those who were injured.

    • #2
  3. Austin Murrey Inactive
    Austin Murrey
    @AustinMurrey

    I remember reading at Steyn Online that there was an attempted bombing at another Christmas market three days ago.

    The culprit was a 12-year-old second-generation citizen of Iraqi descent if I remember correctly.

    • #3
  4. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    It is also being reported of an attack near Zurich that just happened. from RSOE:

    “Cops have the area, near a train station in Zurich, on lockdown as they hunt the suspect who has left three people severely wounded. The victims are all thought to be adults. A police spokesman said: “Three people were injured. Nothing is known about the severity of the injuries.” The shootings come hours after the Russian ambassador was shot dead “out of revenge for Aleppo” in Turkey. Zurich, which is in north west Sitzerland, is the global centre for banking and money. It is the country’s largest city with more than 390,000 residents.”

     

    • #4
  5. genferei Member
    genferei
    @genferei

    Front Seat Cat:It is also being reported of an attack near Zurich…:

    “Cops have the area, near a train station in Zurich, on lockdown .”

    As at this moment, it appears a masked man went into an Islamic prayer center and shot some folks.

    • #5
  6. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    E-mail from a friend who is a missionary in Berlin: A friend’s child was there and they do not know if some of his friends are safe. The boy is in shock.

    • #6
  7. Titus Techera Contributor
    Titus Techera
    @TitusTechera

    I learned about this because of my facebook friends marking themselves safe. It is not the first time I learn this way about a terror attack. God help those who are not safe or whose loved ones are not safe.

    • #7
  8. Roberto Inactive
    Roberto
    @Roberto

    Looks like they may have captured him.

    Suspect arrested, co-driver dead

    A co-driver in the lorry is dead, according to Germany’s N24 TV.

    The same channel is also confirming reports that a suspect has been arrested.

    • #8
  9. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    It’s terrible. It feels like we’re all caught up in these devastating actions. Breathe, Susan, breathe.

    • #9
  10. Roberto Inactive
    Roberto
    @Roberto

    https://twitter.com/Channel20Austra/status/810989884345294854

    • #10
  11. Laura Koch Inactive
    Laura Koch
    @LauraKoch

    I was at this Christmas Markt with my kids just the other week.  It’s a big shopping area, especially this time of year.  Shocking.  Germany has been a generous and tolerant country.  I don’t want to see that end, but Germans need to be reassured that people who don’t share our values will be shown the door.  Merkel’s move now.

    • #11
  12. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

     This is CNN.

    Berlin Christmas market: 9 dead, at least 50 injured in truck crash

    “Truck crash.”

    • #12
  13. Scott Wilmot Member
    Scott Wilmot
    @ScottWilmot

    Percival:This is CNN.

    Berlin Christmas market: 9 dead, at least 50 injured in truck crash

    “Truck crash.”

    Disgusting headline. Talk about fake news. Tell it like it is CNN: jihadi Islam.

    • #13
  14. Mate De Inactive
    Mate De
    @MateDe

    Percival:This is CNN.

    Berlin Christmas market: 9 dead, at least 50 injured in truck crash

    “Truck crash.”

    WTW CNN!!! Not telling the truth about who are the enemy is, when we ALL know who is responsible is Why Trump won. Looks like the left is still incapable of self reflection.

    • #14
  15. wilber forge Inactive
    wilber forge
    @wilberforge

    Accepting immigrants is a Act of Love, as so we were told. Might want to rethink the concept.

    • #15
  16. Douglas Inactive
    Douglas
    @Douglas

    Austin Murrey: The culprit was a 12-year-old second-generation citizen of Iraqi descent if I remember correctly.

    That’s impossible, as we keep getting told that once these poor, desperate people are exposed to western consumerism, iPhones and gay marriage will conquer the Koran and they’ll all be good liberals.

    • #16
  17. Douglas Inactive
    Douglas
    @Douglas

    wilber forge:Accepting immigrants is a Act of Love, as so we were told. Might want to rethink the concept.

    Well, love hurts, I guess.

    • #17
  18. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    According to the headlines in Bild, die Welt  and der Spiegel right now, the “mutmaßlicher” that is “alleged” perpetrator was already known to police for petty crime. He was stopped before he could do more harm thanks in no small part to an observer with a cell phone who called the police and stayed on the line, following the guy. Officers in a patrol car then stopped him at the Siegessäule.

    • #18
  19. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    wilber forge:Accepting immigrants is a Act of Love, as so we were told. Might want to rethink the concept.

    The problem is that though love and compassion do not preclude wisdom and prudence, some shall we just say “unwise and imprudent” persons think that they do.

    • #19
  20. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    Laura Koch:I was at this Christmas Markt with my kids just the other week. It’s a big shopping area, especially this time of year. Shocking. Germany has been a generous and tolerant country. I don’t want to see that end, but Germans need to be reassured that people who don’t share our values will be shown the door. Merkel’s move now.

    Yeah, Maedel, Vrouwe and I were at the Augsburger Christkindlmarkt last Sunday.  There has been persistent talk of increasing the speed with which people of possible Islamist backgrounds are deported (see also the protests in Frankfurt last week) and hopefully that talk will become serious and lead to action.

    • #20
  21. TooShy Coolidge
    TooShy
    @TooShy

    The car ramming technique has been widely used by Palestinians. There was a run of them starting in October 2014. That one killed a 3-month baby girl. The parents had trouble conceiving; this baby girl was the result of years of fertility treatments. So all deaths are tragic, but this one particularly saddened me.

    Between September 2015 and July 2016 there were 46 car rammings by Palestinians. Usually, though, the number of casualties is small—the driver is generally shot quite soon after the attack starts. The Israelis also now have bollards in vulnerable places such as bus stops.

    After the Nice attack, ISIS commended the Palestinians for inventing the technique:

    Killing by ramming using civilian cars and trucks is an idea born from the Maqdisi [Palestinian] mind, which has an innovative nature of thinking up jihad tactics,” read a posting on a pro-ISIS forum online. “Yesterday they taught us [about] the explosive vest, and many plans for street fighting, and today they taught us this tactic. May Allah bless Jerusalem . . . “

    But I think there had already been isolated incidents of car rammings before the Palestinians used it. So perhaps they shouldn’t get credited for inventing it.

    Still, I think the Europeans, rather than reflexively condemning everything Israel does, need to look more to Israel for advice in protecting against terrorism. After the Nice attack, the Israelis were surprised and shocked about how lax the security arrangements had been for such a large public event.

    • #21
  22. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    Remind your liberal friends: Why are you surprised? I’m not.  This is the new normal, you know.  The person soon to be removed from the White House, said that his job is to keep the violence down to an acceptable level.  He said that his administration has been totally successful, so this must be an acceptable level of violence, eh?

    (BTW while I remember well him saying that, I can’t identify a source for the exact quotation.  Can any of you do better?)

    • #22
  23. Mendel Inactive
    Mendel
    @Mendel

    Update: German police now seem quite confident that the immigrant previously apprehended was NOT the driver (and it seems as though police believe he may not have been involved at all).

    One very slight silver lining: despite the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the perpetrator(s), high-level officials are not hesitating to call this a terrorist attack.

    • #23
  24. genferei Member
    genferei
    @genferei

    And the attack in Zurich appears to have been committed by a disturbed young man who had already killed someone the day before, and subsequent to the prayer center incident shot himself. No terrorist link whatsoever.

    • #24
  25. Hartmann von Aue Member
    Hartmann von Aue
    @HartmannvonAue

    Mendel:Update: German police now seem quite confident that the immigrant previously apprehended was NOT the driver (and it seems as though police believe he may not have been involved at all).

    One very slight silver lining: despite the uncertainty surrounding the identity of the perpetrator(s), high-level officials are not hesitating to call this a terrorist attack.

     

    Current reports are saying the Berlin Police now think they have the wrong man and that the real perpetrator is still at large, armed and dangerous.

    • #25
  26. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    When oh when will people realize it is Islam that is the problem.  The only good that can come out of this is that Merkel, who now has blood on her hands, will be defeated and that the insane, disastrous Muslim immigration policies of European countries comes to an end.

    • #26
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