“Lone wolf” terrorism threatens Europe

The latest attack was a shooting spree in a trade centre in Munich, Germany, on July 22, leaving 9 people killed and 21 injured. Perpetrator was 18-year-old German of Iran origin, who shot himself near the attack site. This was the 3rd attack on European cities over the past 8 days. 

Several days before, Germany was already shocked by the barbarous axe attack on a train running from Treichlingen to Wuezburg in Bavaria. Germany police said they chased and killed the man who assaulted passengers with his axe and a knife and left the train.  On July 14, a French-Tunisian drove a truck into a crowd of people celebrating National Day.

The so-called “lone wolf” heightens the public’ worries, triggering authorities to take prompt preventive measures. 

Andre Jacob, a former head of counterterrorism at Belgium's State Security service, told the press that it’s impossible to prevent even if there were clues. With out accomplices, network or organization, clues of these lone wolfs are hard to find. 

Rainer Wendt of the German Police trade union, said there are not many more ways in which you can safeguard public spaces than they are doing now. Attacks occur at unexpected time and in unexpected venues and attackers use rudimentary tools.

There’s a possibility that the Islamic State (IS) is behind the attacks, although evidence hasn’t been found yet. 2 years ago, IS spokesman Abu Mohamed al-Adnani released a speech, calling its supporters to kill disbelievers in Western countries and suggested simple measures.

Never before the Europeans felt insecure like they do now. The waves of immigrants flowing into Europe have left severe consequences and instability.  Europe now is facing a more dangerous wave of attacks and the current preventive measures seem ineffective.