People living and working in Dresden are likely to have felt under attack after two bomb explosions went off in the east German city.
Two homemade devices were detonated last night (September 26th), with the first exploding in a mosque on Huhndorfer Street and the second in front of Dresden’s International Congress Center.
Police were called to both scenes to clear the area and make sure no-one was hurt. Fortunately, there were no victims of the explosions, although the mosque’s imam, 46, wife and two children were inside the building at the time of the explosion.
Head of the force Horst Kretzschmar released a statement, saying: “Both attacks are related in timing. Although there is no claim of responsibility so far, we must go on the basis that the motive was xenophobic.”
He also suggested there may be a link between the attacks and the upcoming 26th anniversary of East and West Germany’s unification, with celebrations taking place in the city next Monday.
Many people may feel reluctant to attend following the explosions, including the likes of Chancellor Angela Merkel and President Joachim Gauck, who were expected to be at the anniversary events. However, police are increasing their presence in Dresden, particularly around its mosques.
Dresden has been the centre of political unrest lately, with the anti-Islam Pegida protest gaining momentum here. Its rallies gained 25,000 supporters last January, showing just how far-right many people in the region are.
What’s more, Germany has suffered several attacks recently, such as a bomb exploding in Ansbach in July, which resulted in the deaths of 16 people, including the Syrian refugee bomber.
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