Islamic State threaten this summer's Euros to leave German state security fearing attack after chilling image of a 'last call' with explosives on a train was published in propaganda magazine in wake of Champions League threats
- Security measures in Paris, Madrid and London were stepped up this week
- Reports in Germany have suggested that UEFA's flagship tournament is a target
- Which Premier League sides will be relegated this season? Listen to the It's All Kicking Off podcast
German state security officials believe that a regional branch of Islamic State are set to target the European Championship in Germany this summer, according to reports.
This week saw an apparent threat by the terrorist group against stadiums hosting Champions League ties across Europe, with security ramped up in Paris - where Paris Saint-Germain were due to face Barcelona at Parc des Princes - Madrid, for Real Madrid's clash with Manchester City, and at the Emirates, where Arsenal were to play host to Bayern Munich.
All three ties went ahead without incident, but French authorities went as far as drafting in their elite counter-terrorism BRI (Research and Intervention Brigade) after a post was shared by the Al-Azaim Foundation, a media channel responsible for spreading messages from the ISIS-K branch of the terror group.
ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack on Crocus City Hall in Moscow last month.
But tensions will again be ramped up ahead of this summer's flagship European competition after a second threat was published in the group's propaganda magazine.
An Islamic State propaganda magazine has issued a chilling call to arms to terrorists in Europe
A number of graphics featuring football imagery have led German state officials to believe the 2024 Euros will be targeted
Security was ramped up at grounds featuring in Champions League matches after the ties were targeted with specific threats
As per BILD, the current issue of Voice of Khorasan contains a call to action for terrorist attacks, which German state officials believe are directed at the UEFA tournament.
The issue features a number of graphics, including one which shows a picture of terrorist holding a gun and dressed in camouflage aboard a German S-Bahn train or tram titled: 'Last call before exit'.
On the seat next to the militant, there is a box on a seat labelled for explosives, underneath a sign reading 'Welcome to Europe'.
Another shows a drone flying over the recently renovated Bernabeu and is captioned: 'If they constrict and oppress you on the ground, then strike them from the sky'.
'If the enemies of the religion of Allah blocked the path of Hijra, they cannot block the path of struggle,' the accompanying text reads.
Hijra can refer to the process of moving or emigration, and refers to the Prophet Mohammed's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
The group threatened to kill fans in London, Paris and Madrid, and set tensions aflame in a missive from IS' propaganda wing
The text goes on to threaten: 'Run over the kuffar (non-believers or infidels) with your vehicle, stab them with knives, fill their food with poison, blow out their brains with bullets, and set their houses on fire'.
Young people were particularly singled out in the propaganda piece, with a direct call stating that: 'Youth's responsibility is greater than anywhere else.
'We appeal once again to the youth of the Ummah (the Muslim community) and especially to the sincere Muwahiddeen (a phrase used by Islamic State to describe their fighters) who lie in the arms of those countries that are fighting against the Islamic world, Muslims and Islamic rituals'.
German state officials believe that the ISIS-K group - alternately referred to as Islamic State - Khorasan Province, ISPK or IS-K - have an organised network of over 100 agents in western Europe, with 50 in Germany alone.
An official told BILD: '(This propaganda piece) shows that the ISPK absolutely wants to carry out sensational attacks, no matter how and by whom.
'To this end, all potential attackers, including self-radicalized individual perpetrators, so-called lone wolves, are now being called upon to carry out attacks.'
Khorosan refers to the historical province which makes up portions of modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgzstan and Kazakhstan - regions where the group originates from.
Madrid's hosting of two ties - for Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid - saw measures stepped up on both Tuesday and Wednesday
ISIS-K claimed responsibility for the deadly terror attack on Moscow's Crocus City Hall last month, which killed 144 people
With football matches increasingly the focus of targeted propaganda campaigns, UK counter terrorism police wrote to Premier League clubs on Wednesday to urge them to review safety procedures in the wake of recent threats.
Mail Sport reported exclusively that officers had asked the teams to ensure they focus on ‘readiness and response plans’ at their home venues.
Insiders are believed to be carrying out reviews of their security measures, having previously been placed on alert over the Easter period following the attacks in Moscow.
Four gunmen from Tajikistan stormed the building dressed in camouflage and killed 144 present at the concert hall as well as wounding a further 551 people.
