German spymaster says Islamic State’s brutality attracts followers

Some young Muslims are attracted to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria because of its brutality, which makes it appear “more authentic” than al Qaeda, Hans-Georg Maassen, head of Germany’s BfV domestic intelligence agency, said in an interview on Sunday. German intelligence estimates that at least 400 Germans have joined the IS insurgency in Syria and Iraq. Maassen (pic above) said there was evidence that five German citizens or residents had carried out suicide attacks for the insurgents there in recent months.

What attracts people is the intense brutality, the radicalism and rigour. That suggests to them that it is a more authentic organisation even than al Qaeda. Al Qaeda fades besides the Islamic State when it comes to brutality.

Hans-Georg Maassen, head of Germany’s BfV domestic intelligence agency

The agency says the Internet plays an important role in recruiting youngsters. Chancellor Angela Merkel cites the success of IS in recruiting German jihadists as a reason for her country to make an “exception” to its post-war policy of not sending arms to areas of conflict. Her government will decide on Sunday what military aid to send to Kurdish forces in Iraq fighting IS. Opinion polls suggest the German public has no appetite for getting involved in Iraq’s conflict and Merkel has made clear she would not send combat troops.

Middle East