Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) is planning
terrorist attacks on resorts in southern Europe, including in France, Italy and
Spain, a report says, adding that suicide bombers are expected to be disguised
as beach vendors.
German Federal Intelligence Service was informed by
the Italian intelligence about a threat in European resorts by ISIS, Das Bild
newspaper said.
The information about the coming attacks was reportedly received from Africa.
The report speculates the potential attackers could
mostly come from Senegal, where the Boko Haram terrorist group, which pledged
loyalty to IS in 2015, is active.
According to the information, the extremists are
expected to be dressed as vendors at the European resorts, selling things like
sunglasses, drinks and ice cream.
The militants are going to use automatic weapons or
explosive devices in their attacks, the report states. Their bombs may be
buried under sunbeds at the resorts.
"It could be a new dimension of terror from
ISIS… The holiday beaches are hard to protect...” the
paper cited a German high-ranking official as saying.
Later, Italian intelligence sources told La Repubblica
newspaper that they don’t have any information on a “specific terrorist
threat" to the country.
In June 2015, a gunman allegedly linked to IS opened
fire on the beach at the popular Tunisian resort area of Sousse. At least 38
people were killed and dozens injured in the attack. Sousse attracts tourists
from Europe as well as neighboring countries.
In March this year, an IS-staged attack on the Bardo
Museum in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, claimed at least 22 lives. The attackers had massive bombs
strapped to their bodies.