Islamic extremists have never successfully carried out a major attack on German soil. However, a number of suspected plots have been foiled in the past several years. In 2006, Germany narrowly missed what could have been a devastating attack after bombs placed on two trains failed to detonate.

In addition, video threats by Islamic extremists have periodically popped up on the Internet, as would-be terrorists are increasingly using the tools of new media to take their fight to the public.

Their main grievance appears to be Germany's ongoing presence in Afghanistan.

Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, Germany has been specifically targeted in at least seven attack plots by terrorist groups. The country has also been singled out in video messages broadcast over the Internet by Islamic extremists warning of an attack if the country does not pull its troops out of Afghanistan.

Germany currently has around 4,200 troops in Afghanistan as part of a NATO-led mission there.

Germany increases security

The Federal Criminal Police Office estimates that there are up to 180 people with ties to Germany who have attended a Jihad training camp in Pakistan. There have also been an increasing number of arrests of suspected Jihadists.

According to officials, terrorist groups such as the "Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan" and the "Islamic Jihad Union" tend to set their sights on symbolic places and buildings that represent the systems and attitudes of their enemy. They also target densely populated areas in order to maximize casualties.

The videos made by these groups show footage from some of Germany's most recognizable sites, including the Cologne's Cathedral, Munich's Oktoberfest, and Hamburg's main train station.

As a result, Germany has stepped-up security in major meeting spots such as, airports, train stations and city subways.

At this year's Oktoberfest in Munich, around 1,200 police patrolled the grounds around-the-clock after Islamic militants threatened an attack around the time of Germany's election.

Author: Daniel Scheschkewitz (vj)
Editor: Nancy Isenson