Extremist action potentially linked to the left-wing political spectrum?
Left-Wing Extremist Group Claims Responsibility for Railway Arson Attack in Germany
A left-wing extremist group known as "Kommando Angry Birds" has claimed responsibility for an arson attack on the Duisburg-Düsseldorf railway line, causing significant disruptions and paralysis on one of Germany's busiest routes.
The attack, which occurred on Thursday, involved an ignition device placed in a cable tunnel that destroyed cables controlling switches and signals near Düsseldorf. The incident forced construction work on a parallel freight line in Duisburg-Wedau to be temporarily suspended to handle some of the traffic over that route.
The arson attack is suspected to be the work of left-wing extremists, according to NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul. Repairs are expected to be completed by midnight, followed by test runs, and regular services between Duisburg and Düsseldorf are expected to resume at the start of Saturday morning operations.
The police investigation on the arson attack is classified as sabotage, and the state criminal police are involved. Trace evidence collection at the site of the attack lasted until midday, and both incendiary devices on the central line had the same design, according to the police.
This incident is not an isolated event. Left-wing extremist attacks on German railways, including acts of sabotage such as arson and disruption of rail infrastructure, have occurred intermittently over recent years, with a noted resurgence in 2025. The frequency of recent attacks indicates a potential escalation or revived campaign of sabotage by left-wing extremists in certain regions like North Rhine-Westphalia (Düsseldorf-Duisburg corridor).
Historically, left-wing extremist groups in Germany have carried out arson and bombings targeting government and infrastructure sites, including rail-related or public service buildings. The line Duisburg-Düsseldorf is one of the busiest railway connections in Germany with over 620 passenger trains daily, making it a strategic target for such attacks.
If this attack is confirmed to be a left-wing extremist attack on Deutsche Bahn facilities, it would mark the second time such an event has occurred on the same line between Düsseldorf and Duisburg (in 2018). In 2017, similar attacks occurred ahead of the G20 summit in Hamburg. Such attacks have occurred repeatedly over the decades.
NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer deplored "enormous damage" and pledged rigorous prosecution. The railway company set up a bus shuttle service and rerouted long-distance traffic via Dortmund and Wuppertal due to the disruptions. The second fire damage was discovered during an inspection of the line on Friday, about two kilometers away from the initial site of the attack.
The attack affected multiple lines, including ICE lines to Berlin and Frankfurt, connections to North Germany, South Germany, and the Netherlands, as well as many local lines, including those serving Düsseldorf Airport. The cables, each 20 meters long, will be replaced, and the attack shows the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
A claim of responsibility was published on the left-wing platform "Indymedia", but its authenticity is still under verification. The police investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
The arson attack on the Duisburg-Düsseldorf railway line, attributed to a left-wing extremist group called "Kommando Angry Birds," is a recent example of sabotage in the series of left-wing extremist attacks on German railways. This incident is not a solitary event, with a history of similar attacks targeting rail infrastructure and public service buildings across Germany.
