Carnival in Germany it draws millions of people to the streets - especially in Cologne. Now the "Islamic State" is threatening terrorist attacks in that city, as well as in Nuremberg and Rotterdam. How seriously should such threats be taken?
Is it street? carnival in Germany threatened by terrorism? Islamists, allegedly linked to the "Islamic State" (IS), called for attacks on social media, including during the carnival in Cologne. In doing so, they mentioned two specific locations in the city where a huge mass of people traditionally gather. Nuremberg and Rotterdam in the Netherlands are also mentioned as possible goals, he writes Deutsche says.
The police representatives see this primarily as an attempt to intimidate the population. At the same time, it was announced that security will be further increased, in addition to the already increased presence of security forces in previous years.
The street carnival traditionally begins on Thursday, when from early morning hundreds of thousands of costumed people take to the streets to celebrate the beginning of five crazy days. The highlight of the carnival is the traditional Rosenmontag, (Pink Monday) when millions of people are on their feet. The most famous carnival capitals in Germany are the cities on the Rhine - Cologne, Dusseldorf and Mainz.
Monday's parade in Cologne, Germany's largest, has seen around one and a half million people gather in previous years. But also in many smaller towns and villages across Germany these days, street parades are held, attracting thousands of spectators.
One of the threats published on the Internet refers specifically to Thursday, which in carnival jargon is called Women's Carnival (Women's Carnival Night). It is mentioned "Cologne Carnival 27 February Alter Markt" - one of the epicenters of the celebration. The festival was also mentioned "Green Comm" in the center of Cologne on Carnival Sunday, as well as the celebration on Monday in Nuremberg. This was first reported by Bild newspaper.
Neumann: "Islamic State's signal to its supporters"
Yes, such a threat should be taken seriously, political scientist and terrorism expert Peter Neumann tells DW. "But not because IS is actually planning an attack," he explains. First of all, the "Islamic State" wants to send a signal to its supporters, "who are already fully mobilized due to various attempts and attacks".
Another goal of such threats is to spread fear among the population. Neumann points out: "Terrorism is primarily based on fear, so it would be a success for IS if it could paralyze the entire public life with such messages."
Other security experts also assess that such threats should be viewed as IS propaganda, which is repeated on the occasion of various public events and manifestations. The security threat level in recent days has remained unchanged.
The head of the police force in Cologne for the carnival days, Martin Lotz, told the dpa agency that the goal of such announcements is to intimidate the public, but that the police will further adjust their operational plan. Due to the current security situation, the police are prepared for such scenarios. Similar statements were made by police spokesmen in Düsseldorf and Mainz.
Just last week - before the threat was announced - the Cologne police announced that they would increase security measures during the carnival - due to the attack in Munich and other violent incidents in Germany. After the attack by radicalized individuals, the security situation is "more tense than in previous years". In order to ensure "maximum possible security", all available police forces will be on the ground.
In some places, the processions have already been cancelled
Just before Christmas, on December 20, 2024, a doctor from Saudi Arabia, who had lived in Germany for more than 15 years, carried out an attack in Magdeburg, when he drove his vehicle into a Christmas market. Six people died and several hundred were injured.
In Munich, on February 13, 2025, a 24-year-old Afghan drove his car into a protest procession. On that occasion, a mother and her two-year-old daughter were killed, while dozens of people were injured.
Already after the allegedly terrorist-motivated attack in Munich, some municipalities in Germany canceled planned carnival parades. The reason given, among other things, is that security measures - such as those in Marburg or Kemten - are too expensive for local budgets. Police experts generally recommend that all approaches to procession routes be blocked with massive barriers or cross-parked vehicles.
Is Peter Neumann going to the carnival?
The most important thing, says terrorism expert Peter Neumann, is that the authorities have well-designed security plans for such events. Visitors should, of course, be cautious, but not panic. "I personally would not hesitate to go to the carnival parade," says Neumann.
