Germany arrests Syrian national over plans for machete attack on soldiers

A 27-year-old Syrian national suspected of radical Islamist views has been arrested over a plot to kill German soldiers with machetes in the Bavarian town of Hof, prosecutors said on Friday.

The accused obtained two machetes approximately 40 cm (15.75 inches) long. He planned to attack Bundeswehr soldiers in Hof who were spending their lunch break there and to kill as many of them as possible, a statement said.

"With the act, the accused wanted to attract attention and create a feeling of uncertainty among the population," it said.

Increased attacks in Germany

Germany is tightening border controls after recent deadly knife attacks in which the suspects were asylum seekers.

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for a knife attack in the western city of Solingen that killed three people in August.

Only a week ago, an Austrian national was shot after firing at the Israeli consulate in Munich on the anniversary of the 1972 Munich Massacre - where Israeli Olympians were taken hostage and murdered by a Palestinian terrorist.  Israeli Ambassador to Germany Ron Prosor had said that the gunman had a radical Islamist background. 

In August, Germany shut down an Islamic center in Hamburg despite protestations from Iran, after an investigation revealed it took direct orders from the Islamic Republic and aided Hezbollah, German media reported.