Euro 2024 Competitions in Germany to Be Held Under Strict Security Measures Due to Islamist Threats

Germany announced on Thursday, June 14, in response to threats from Islamist groups like ISIS, that the Euro 2024 football competitions will be held under strict security measures. According to Reuters, Nancy Faeser, Germany's Interior Minister, expressed gratitude for the presence of around 350 foreign police officers at a ceremony aimed at ensuring the security of the Euro 2024 competitions. She noted that the police will focus on countering the 'threat of Islamic terrorist groups, hooligans, and criminals,' adding that 'cyber attacks' have also been included in the security measures this time. Groups like ISIS have recently called for attacks on the stadiums hosting the competitions. According to the German Interior Minister, security forces are closely monitoring Islamist groups. The Euro 2024 competitions will kick off on Friday, June 16, with an opening ceremony and a match between Germany and Scotland. It is expected that 2.7 million people will watch the matches in stadiums and about 12 million in designated fan zones in open spaces. The fan zones were very popular during the 2006 World Cup in Germany, but given the current global conditions, including the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the rise of the far-right in Europe, a large crowd of fans in these places may pose challenges. Annalena Baerbock, Germany's Foreign Minister, stated that propaganda and hate speech on the streets of Germany will not be tolerated, saying that 'some are trying to bring these conflicts into our country.' About 22,000 police officers will work daily to ensure the security of these competitions. German security officials are also collaborating with international partners to identify potential threats, and the country has taken further measures to control its borders.