A Kurdish activist, Muhammet İlhan Aslan, was severely injured on Saturday in a knife attack carried out by ISIS supporters at a peaceful event in Kiel, Germany. The gathering became the site of a shocking act of violence that highlights the ongoing threat of extremism in Europe.
The attack occurred at around 1.20pm on the busy shopping street of Holstenstraße, where Kurds and supporters had gathered to mark the 10th anniversary of the liberation from ISIS of northern Syria’s Kurdish city of Kobani (Kobanê), and to commemorate the historic Kurdish resistance. Eyewitnesses said that the assailants were harassing participants and making pro-ISIS comments before launching their attack.
“This brutal attack highlights the persistent danger posed by ISIS and its extremist ideology, even in Europe,” said KON-MED, the largest Kurdish social democratic cultural organisation in Germany.
“It is deeply alarming that such acts of violence are occurring during peaceful demonstrations. The attackers injured one of our activists and sought to spread fear and division. These events highlight the need for a comprehensive investigation into the attackers’ links to extremist networks and decisive action against those enabling such ideologies, including Turkey’s support for jihadist groups. We demand that the German authorities ensure justice, protect peaceful demonstrators and address the root causes of extremist violence.”
The injured activist, Muhammet İlhan Aslan, sustained serious stab wounds and was rushed to the hospital after receiving first aid. While one attacker was subdued by Kurdish participants and handed over to the police, the other fled the scene.
KON-MED has issued the following demands:
*Thorough Investigation: German authorities must uncover the attackers’ ties to ISIS or other extremist groups.
*Enhanced Security: Protection of vulnerable communities and peaceful demonstrations must be a priority.
*Combating Extremism: German and EU governments should actively support democratic movements like the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) to counter extremist ideologies.
Kurdish community leaders also expressed concern about the broader implications of the attack. “Such acts of violence are not isolated incidents,” said KON-MED’s co-chairs Ruken Akça and Kerem Gök. “They are part of an international network of threats, fuelled by Turkey’s aggression in North and East Syria (Rojava), which has enabled the resurgence of ISIS.”
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The event continued in spite of the attack, with participants reaffirming their commitment to peaceful advocacy. “Our solidarity is stronger than ever,” said a participant.
The attack has sparked widespread outrage among Kurdish communities and human rights advocates, who are calling for immediate action to address the resurgence of extremism in Europe.
