Denbkar drone attack

German NATO base fears sabotage

An aircraft at the NATO base in Geilenkirchen(Bild: VanderWolf Images)

In Berlin, there are growing indications from intelligence services of a drone attack (see video above).

The NATO airbase in Geilenkirchen, Germany, is preparing for an act of Russian sabotage and has raised its security level. There has been a serious tip-off from a foreign intelligence service. Geilenkirchen is located in the far west of Germany near Aachen and close to the border with the Netherlands.

Security precautions scaled back
Last week, the second-highest security level was in place for almost 24 hours due to a possible threat at the NATO base in North Rhine-Westphalia. All non-essential employees were sent home.

After nothing happened, the security precautions were scaled back again on Friday afternoon. In NATO jargon, the second-highest security level, Charlie, means that an incident has occurred or that there is evidence that some form of terrorist action against the alliance is likely.

Special aircraft are stationed in Geilenkirchen, which are currently mainly used to monitor the airspace in the Alliance's eastern region. Around 1600 people work there.

Suspicious observations
In July, US military bases in Germany and other European countries were already on heightened alert due to the threat of terrorism. There were also fears of sabotage at several Bundeswehr bases in Germany. These included a security incident at the waterworks of the Cologne-Wahn air force barracks. The suspicion was that the drinking water was contaminated. Following an inspection, the all-clear has now been given.

In Geilenkirchen, one person was questioned following suspicious observations, but the suspicion of sabotage has not been confirmed.