Germany Detains Islamic Militants Targeting U.S. Bases

By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent Worthy News

(Worthy News) – Authorities in Germany say they have detained four suspected Islamic militants for plotting to attack American military facilities in the country. The four men, originally from Tajikistan — along with a fifth individual arrested last year — targeted several U.S. airforce bases on behalf of the Islamic State group, prosecutors said.

They were detained early Wednesday at various locations in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, according to investigators. The men were named as Azizjon B., Muhammadali G., Farhodshoh K., and Sunatullokh K. Under German rules, the suspects’ surnames weren’t released for privacy reasons.

German weekly Der Spiegel said the militants’ alleged leader, a 30-year-old Tajik man identified as Ravsan B., has been jailed since last year on firearms charges. Ravsan B. was reportedly financing the attacks after receiving a $40,000 contract to assassinate someone in Albania. He allegedly ordered materials to build an explosive device.

Attacks had not been due to take place imminently, but the men already bought firearms and ammunition, prosecutors explained.
German authorities did not release details of which U.S. air bases were targeted.

Additionally, the men carried out surveillance of critics of Islam, targeting them for future assassination, according to investigators. Prosecutors said all suspects swore allegiance to Islamic State in early 2019. They had contacts with high-ranking figures from the group in both Syria and Afghanistan, according to officials familiar with the case.

The men had reportedly planned to return to Tajikistan to carry out attacks but later changed their target to Germany. News of the plot comes amid broader concerns in Germany and other European Union nations about Islamic militants returning to Europe from Syria and other war-torn areas.

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