Syrian National Ahmed Al-Mansoor Confesses to Stabbing Deaths of Three Individuals at Solingen Festival in Germany
Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
7 minutes read. Updated 2:01AM GMT Mon, 26August, 2024
In a harrowing incident that has sent shockwaves across Germany, a 26-year-old Syrian man confessed to the brutal stabbing of three individuals at a festival in Solingen, a city in western Germany. The attack occurred on Friday evening during the “Festival of Diversity,” a three-day celebration marking the 650th anniversary of Solingen’s founding.
Details of the Attack
The suspect, whose identity has been confirmed as a Syrian national, turned himself in to the authorities after a major manhunt. According to police reports, the man, covered in blood, approached officers and confessed, “I’m the one you’re looking for.” This act of violence resulted in the deaths of two men, aged 67 and 56, and a 56-year-old woman. Several others were injured in the attack.
The assault took place in the central square of Solingen, near the stage where a musical performance was underway. Eyewitness Lars Breitzke, present at the scene, described the chilling moment he noticed something was amiss when he saw the singer’s alarmed expression. “A person just meters away from me fell down,” Breitzke recounted to the Solinger Tageblatt.
Motivation and Allegiations
German prosecutors have stated that the suspect acted out of “radical Islamist convictions” and aimed to inflict maximum harm. The militant group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news service, although it provided no supporting evidence. The suspect has been accused of being a member of the terrorist organization.
Thorsten Fleiß, a police spokesman, revealed that the attacker had targeted his victims’ necks specifically. “After evaluating the initial images, we assume that it was a very targeted attack on the neck,” Fleiß said during a press briefing.
Response and Reactions
The attack has prompted a stern response from German politicians. Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the violence as “upsetting” and “terrible,” announcing plans to visit Solingen on Monday. The incident has reignited debates about Germany’s immigration policies.
Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition centre-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU), has called for a halt on the admission of refugees from Syria and Afghanistan. In a statement on his website, Merz declared, “It’s enough!”
Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor and Green Party member Robert Habeck has advocated for stricter laws on knife possession. “No one in Germany needs to have a knife in a public place,” Habeck stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Alice Weidel, co-chair of the far-right Alternativ für Deutschland (AfD) party, has criticized Germany’s migration policies. “Instead of racking our brains over knife bans, we must tackle the root problems. Migration must change immediately,” Weidel wrote on X.
The attack is expected to further fuel anti-immigration sentiment in Germany, where the AfD has been gaining traction and is poised for potential success in upcoming state elections.
