Berlin Boosts Security Amid Terror Fears

Fears of a potential terror attack are overshadowing festivities to mark the anniversary of German reunification. Security around the Brandenburg Gate is tight with increased police presence. The capital's interior minister, meanwhile, urged Berliners to be "increasingly vigilant." Berlin's police force is on high alert. Following a series of al-Qaida propaganda videos directly threatening Germany, officials have beefed up security around the festivities to mark German reunification.

He urged "increased vigilance" during the public event but also warned people not to panic, saying that although the risk of attack had climbed in recent weeks, police had no evidence of an imminent plot. However, officials fear the celebrations taking place around the Brandenburg Gate could be a target given the site's symbolic value and the high number of visitors expected.

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Germany boosts terrorism alert level

The German government raised its terrorism alert level after al Qaeda posted a video on the Internet threatening attacks in Germany if this month's elections do not come out the way the terrorist organization wants.

"The federal elections offer a special [opportunity] for propaganda and operative activity by terror groups," the Interior Ministry said on Friday. "A new video posted on September 18 by al Qaeda underlines this. The security services have therefore increased the threat level, which leads to increased security measures especially at airports and railway stations."

The ministry added that it has noted an uptick in threats against Germany by al Qaeda and other Islamist groups since the beginning of the year.

In his nearly 26-minute video statement, a man identified as Bekay Harrach, using the pseudonym Abu Talha and speaking in German, says that, if the September 27 elections vote into power parties that do not pledge to pull German troops from Afghanistan, there will be a "rude awakening."

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