A knife attack during a city festival in Solingen, Germany, on Friday evening, August 23, resulted in three deaths and eight injuries. The suspect, a 26-year-old Syrian man named Issa Al H., turned himself in to the police on Saturday evening and is now suspected of being a member of the terrorist organization Islamic State (IS).

Knife Attack During City Festival

The attack occurred during a festival celebrating the 650th anniversary of the city of Solingen, near Düsseldorf. Witnesses reported that the attacker randomly targeted passersby with a knife around 9:45 p.m. The attack claimed the lives of three people: two men aged 67 and 57, and a 56-year-old woman. Eight others were injured, one of them seriously.

The attack caused widespread panic among festival-goers. The police quickly sealed off the city center, deploying heavily armed units and vehicles to locate the attacker. The festival, which usually attracts around 80,000 visitors over three days, was immediately canceled.

Arrests and Manhunt

A large-scale manhunt was launched by the police to apprehend the attacker. On Saturday afternoon, a 15-year-old boy was arrested who may have been in contact with the suspect. Later that evening, a second person was arrested at a refugee center in Solingen, although their involvement has not been confirmed. Ultimately, the suspect, Issa Al H., turned himself in to a police patrol on Saturday evening. He was covered in blood and confessed to carrying out the attack.

IS Claim and Possible Terror Connection

The terrorist group Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the attack on Saturday evening through a statement on their Telegram account. However, the group provided no evidence to support this claim, leaving it unclear whether there is indeed a connection between Al H. and IS. German authorities are now investigating whether the attack was a terrorist act and whether the suspect is a member of IS. According to the German federal prosecutor, Al H. is suspected of being a member of the terrorist organization.

Background of the Suspect

Al H. arrived in Germany in late 2022 and applied for asylum. His request was denied, and a deportation to Bulgaria, the country through which he entered the European Union, was scheduled for early 2023. The deportation failed when Al H. disappeared from the refugee shelter where he was staying. He resurfaced several months later and was placed in a refugee center in Solingen.

German media reported on Sunday that Al H. was not on the radar of security services as an extremist. He was living in Germany without any indication that he posed a threat. However, his involvement in the knife attack is now under intense investigation. The murder weapon, a knife, was reportedly found by police, though this has not been officially confirmed.

Ongoing Investigation

German authorities continue to investigate Al H.’s motive for the attack. The case has been handed over to the federal prosecutor, who specializes in terrorism cases. The Prime Minister of North Rhine-Westphalia, Hendrik Wüst, has already labeled the attack as an act of terrorism, though further details about the motive are still unknown.

In addition to Al H., two other individuals have been arrested who may have connections to the suspect. The police are investigating their possible involvement in the attack. The city government and the people of Solingen remain in shock after this tragic event, which abruptly turned a festive evening into a nightmare.