Security authorities in Austria, Germany and Spain have received indications that an Islamist terrorist cell may want to carry out several attacks in Europe on New Year's Eve or Christmas.

Targets could also include Christmas services in Cologne, Vienna and Madrid. Specifically, the reference for Cologne referred to New Year's Eve. According to BILD information, the first arrests were made by special forces in Vienna and one in Germany on Saturday evening.

●Attack foiled in Germany

●Hamas raid on apartments and restaurant

●Three Hamas members were arrested in Berlin.

●Since 2010, 18 Islamist terrorist attacks have been prevented in Germany.

The Vienna police reported in the evening: “Due to a current threat assessment by the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and the continued increased terror alert level, there is generally an increased risk in Austria during the Christmas holidays.

Since terrorist actors across Europe are calling for attacks on Christian events - especially around December 24th - the security authorities have increased the corresponding protective measures in public spaces in Vienna and the federal states. “Dangerous places or objects in particular are increasingly monitored and guarded.”

Sniffer dogs were also used in the evening.

In Cologne, the Cologne Cathedral was searched in the evening. The police operations management wanted to make sure that dangerous objects had not already been deposited in the church. That's why explosives detection dogs were used; they searched the cathedral for explosives for hours.

A spokesman for the Cologne police: “Due to a warning of danger for Cologne Cathedral, the Cologne police will take special protective measures from this evening. The police will not comment on details of the available findings due to ongoing investigations by the police state security service.”

Cologne's police chief Michael Esser, who is leading the operation, explained the security measures: "Even if the reference refers to New Year's Eve, we will take everything into account this evening to ensure the safety of cathedral visitors on Christmas Eve. In coordination with the security officer of the cathedral chapter, the cathedral is searched with sniffer dogs after the evening mass and then locked. Tomorrow all visitors will be screened before entering the church."

The police and the cathedral chapter recommended avoiding bags on Christmas Eve and coming to mass early. “Even if the reference refers to New Year’s Eve, we will take everything into account this evening to ensure the safety of cathedral visitors on Christmas Eve,” explained Esser.

Police and the Cologne Cathedral Chapter recommend avoiding bags on Christmas Eve and arriving early for mass.

In Vienna, Austria, Stephen's Cathedral is said to be particularly at risk. The Vienna police even announced access controls with submachine guns.

“These precautionary measures serve to maintain the general safety of the people in Austria. There will be increased police precautions over the Christmas holidays. Civilian and uniformed emergency services with special equipment and long weapons are deployed. Police attention is focused primarily on churches and religious events, especially church services and Christmas markets. The measures are taken as necessary and can also include access controls if necessary. Visitors to events and church services are asked to bring a photo ID and to allow more time than usual.”

According to BILD information, the arrested terrorist suspects are said to be Tajiks who allegedly wanted to carry out the attack on behalf of the “Islamic State in Khorasan Province” (ISPK; IS offshoot in Afghanistan)

The ISPK is currently considered by intelligence services to be the most dangerous terrorist organization that specifically sends terrorists to Europe. A seven-member Tajik cell (20-46) from the ISPK in Germany and the Netherlands had already been raised by the GSG9 in the summer.

They had also planned a major terrorist attack and had already spied on possible targets. According to investigations by the Federal Criminal Police Office, they were smuggled from Ukraine via Poland to Germany disguised as war refugees with false documents.

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