Terrorism in Germany has occurred in several distinct periods, most notably during the Weimar Republic and the Cold War. Acts of political violence have been carried out by far-left and far-right German groups, as well as by foreign organisations operating on German territory. These episodes have included assassinations, bombings, kidnappings, and other forms of politically motivated violence, and have had varying impacts on German politics, society, and security policy.
In the 21st century, Germany has faced renewed far-left, far-right, and Islamist extremist activity. Several attacks and plots linked to jihadist networks have occurred, including the 2016 Berlin Christmas market attack and the 2024 Solingen stabbing, prompting expanded security measures and counter‑terrorism efforts.
Contemporary threats include internationally connected jihadist networks, far‑right groups, and far‑left militants, with authorities regularly disrupting planned attacks and monitoring radicalisation within the country.
Response to terrorism The terrorism of the 1970s significantly shaped Germany's political culture and reinforced its policy of refusing to negotiate with terrorist groups. It also led to the creation of GSG 9 in 1972, shortly after the Munich Olympics massacre, a federal counter‑terrorism and police special‑operations unit established within the then‑ (Federal Border Guard), which was renamed in 2005. GSG 9 became one of the earliest dedicated counter‑terrorism units and served as a model for similar police special‑operations forces worldwide. That same year, the ('Radicals Decree') was introduced, which restricted individuals considered 'radical' or politically unreliable from holding public‑sector jobs.
In addition to organisational and administrative measures, the federal government also expanded criminal law to address terrorism. Forming, joining, or supporting terrorist organisations became a specific criminal offence under § 129a of the German (Criminal Code). The provision was introduced by the Act of 18 August 1976 as part of a broader package of counter‑terrorism legislation, which also established "terrorist organisation" as a defined legal category. These measures are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Lex RAF", reflecting their particular relevance to the activities of the Red Army Faction (RAF).
Traditionally, counter‑terrorism agencies in Germany have responded more quickly to extreme left‑wing groups than to extreme right‑wing ones. One explanation offered by researchers is that right‑wing extremists were often viewed as "corrigible", pursuing concrete and negotiable goals, whereas left‑wing extremists were regarded as "incorrigible", driven by ideological aims seen as non‑negotiable. Because left‑wing groups were perceived as challenging the foundations of the political system, they attracted a stronger state response, while right‑wing violence was sometimes treated as less politically threatening. In addition, far‑right attacks were at times not recognised as terrorism by security services, as they were not accompanied by explicit political statements or claims of responsibility. For example, the 1992 Mölln arson attack on a house occupied by Turkish immigrants was initially attributed to organised crime and only later identified as the work of extreme right‑wing perpetrators, leading officials to question whether it constituted terrorism at all.Taylor, Max, Holbrook, Donald, and Currie, P. M., eds. Extreme right wing political violence and terrorism. A&C Black, 2013, pp.187-212
In 2019, the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA, ) created a specialised department focused on Islamic terrorism and extremism.
Weimar Republic (1919–1933) The Weimar Republic (1919–1933) was Germany's first parliamentary democracy, established after the First World War. Germany's defeat created a period of political instability in which numerous far‑left and far‑right groups attempted to seize power. Both sides formed their own militias and carried out political assassinations. For example, Foreign Minister Walther Rathenau was assassinated in 1922 by a far‑right organisation, while members of the Communist Party of Germany killed police captains Paul Anlauf and Franz Lenck in Berlin in 1931.
Terrorism in West Germany and reunified Germany
During the Cold War, particularly in the 1970s, West Germany experienced a wave of terrorism, most of it carried out by far‑left groups such as the Red Army Faction (RAF), and culminating in the German Autumn of 1977, one of the most serious national crises in the country's postwar history. Terrorist incidents continued into the 1980s and 1990s. Some of these groups also maintained links to international terrorism, notably Palestinian militant organisations, and some received support from the East German Ministry for State Security (Stasi) under Erich Mielke's leadership. In addition, both the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA) and the Irish National Liberation Army (INLA) carried out attacks against British military personnel based in West Germany, including the 1987 Rheindahlen bombing and the 1996 Osnabrück mortar attack, as part of their campaigns to target British forces stationed abroad. Other foreign militant groups also carried out attacks in West Germany and West Berlin, such as the 1986 La Belle discotheque bombing in West Berlin, in which Libyan‑backed operatives targeted a nightclub frequented by U.S. military personnel stationed in the city.
Terrorism in 21st‑century Germany
Turkish and Kurdish Islamist groups are also active in Germany.Steinberg, Guido, German Jihad: On the Internationalisation of Islamist Terrorism, Columbia University Press, 2013 Political scientist Guido Steinberg stated that many top leaders of Islamist organizations in Turkey fled to Germany in the 2000s, and that the Kurdish Hezbollah has also "left an imprint on Turkish Kurds in Germany." Also many Kurds from Iraq (there are about 50,000 to 80,000 Iraqi Kurds in Germany) financially supported Kurdish-Islamist groups like Ansar al-Islam. Many Islamists in Germany are ethnic Kurds (Iraqi and Turkish Kurds) or Turks. Before 2006, the German Islamist scene was dominated by Iraqi Kurds and Palestinians, but since 2006 Kurds from Turkey and Turks are dominant.
In 2015, 11 verdicts concerning jihadist terrorism related offences were issued by German courts. In 2016, 28 verdicts for jihadist terrorism related offences were delivered. In 2017 there were 27 verdicts.
Almost all known terrorist networks and individuals in Germany have links to Salafism, an ultra-conservative Islamic ideology.
Known terrorist groups in Germany (both active and in-active) +Known terrorist groups in Germany (both active and in-active)Right wing extremistsAnarchists and left wing extremistsIslamists and SalafistsSeparatists and foreign nationalistsAtomwaffen Division 2018-2024Red Army Faction 1970–1998Al-Qaeda since 2006Provisional Irish Republican Army 1980–1989Freikorps Havelland 2003–2005Popular Front for the Liberation of PalestineIslamic State since 2015Black September 1972Gruppe Freital 2015–2018Revolutionary Cells 1973–1993Ansar al-IslamGrey Wolves since 1968National Socialist Underground 1999–2011Anti-Imperialist Cell 1992 – 1995Deutsche Aktionsgruppen 1980Movement 2 June 1972–1980Wehrsportsgruppe Hoffman 1973–1980Tupamaros West-Berlin (and Munchen) 1969–1970Combat 18 since 1992Revolutionäre Aktionszellen (RAZ) 2009–2011Action Front of National Socialists/National Activists 1977–1983Rote Zora 1974–1995Revolution Chemnitz 2018–2019Militante gruppe 2001–2009Nationale Bewegung 2000–20011992–2003Hepp-Kexel-Group 1982Feministische Autonome Zelle (FAZ) since 2019Palestine Action since 2020
GermanyDateLocationDeathsInjuriesTypePerpetrator or motivesDescription2 April 1968Frankfurt——Arson Red Army Faction-- Shopping Mall Two founding fathers of the RAF, Andreas Baader and Gudrun Ensslin, set fire to a shopping mall in Frankfurt as a political statement against capitalism.11 April 1968Berlin—1Small arms fireJosef Bachmann-- Rudi Dutschke, prominent figure of the left-wing students movement
23 year old worker Josef Bachmann tried to assassinate the prominent left-wing figure Rudi Dutschke by firing multiple shots at him. The victim was seriously wounded and scarred for life.10 February 1970Munich123Grenade attack and Small arms firePDFLP and AOLP (Palestinian nationalists)-- Airports & airlines Three terrorists attacked El Al passengers in a bus at the Munich-Riem Airport with guns and grenades; one passenger was killed and 23 injured. All three terrorists were captured by airport police. The Popular Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Action Organisation for the Liberation of Palestine claim responsibility for the attack.13 February 1970Munich710ArsonAnarchist group (suspected)-- Cultural institutions A Jewish cultural center was burned to the ground in Munich. Arab nationalist and German far-right organisations were initially suspected. Further evidence surfaced in 2012 involving a local anarchist group.2 February 1972Berlin1—Bomb attack2 June Movement-- British Military Vehicles and a British yacht-club (British Armed Forces)
As a reaction to the Bloody Sunday, an event during The Troubles, the 2nd June Movement bombed two vehicles of the British Armed Forces as well as a British yacht-club. 11 May 1972Frankfurt113Bomb attackRed Army Faction-- Government institutions (Foreign: United States Army)
A bomb exploded at the Headquarters, V Corps (US Army) in the Abrams Building (IG Farben Building) in Frankfurt, killing US Army officer Paul A. Bloomquist and injuring a further 13.24 May 1972Heidelberg35Car bombingRed Army Faction-- Government institutions (Foreign: United States Army)
Two large car bombs were detonated at the US Army Supreme European Command within the Campbell Barracks in Heidelberg, killing three. The dead were identified as Ronald A. Woodward, Charles L. Peck and Captain Clyde R. Bonner.5 September 1972Munich17 (5 perps.)—Hostage taking
(2 days)Black September (Palestinian nationalists)-- Olympic Games
Eight armed terrorists staged an attack during the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany on 11 members of the Israeli Olympic team, who were taken hostage and eventually killed, along with a German police officer. Five of the attackers also died in the raid to free the hostages.7 April 1977Karlsruhe3—Small arms fireRed Army Faction-- Government institutions Shortly after 9:00 CET, a motorcycle pulled up next to the car of Germany's chief federal prosecutor, Siegfried Buback, a stoplight on the outskirts of Karlsruhe in western Germany. The motorcycle passenger proceeded to fire at least 15 bullets into the car. Buback and his 30-year-old driver Wolfgang Göbel died at the scene; the head of the chauffeur service Georg Wurster, 33, succumbed to his injuries six days later.30 July 1977Oberursel1—Small arms fireRed Army Faction-- Business
Jürgen Ponto, the head of Dresdner Bank, is shot and killed in his house in Oberursel. It is thought that three assailants attempted to kidnap Ponto, and after he resisted they shot him. He was shot five times and later died of his serious wounds. Susanne Albrecht, the daughter of a good friend of the Pontos, was later identified as one of the attackers.5 September 1977Cologne5—Small arms fireRed Army Faction-- Business
A group of armed terrorists attacked the car carrying Hanns Martin Schleyer, then president of the German employers' association, in Cologne. Four masked RAF members sprayed bullets into the two vehicles, killing Schleyer's driver Heinz Marcisz and a police officer, Roland Pieler. The driver of the police escort vehicle, Reinhold Brändle, and a third police officer, Helmut Ulmer, were also killed.