Left-wingextremists likely perpetrators of train assaults, suggest police findings
Left-Wing Extremist Arson Attacks Disrupt German Rail Services
Recent days have seen a series of arson attacks on German trains, primarily targeting railway cable infrastructure. These attacks, which have been claimed by groups linked to left-wing extremist ideology, aim to disrupt rail services and oppose what the attackers label as capitalist and militaristic complicity of Deutsche Bahn.
The most recent incident occurred on August 1, 2025, damaging a key railway line between Düsseldorf and Duisburg. This follows another attack on the same line just two days prior. Deutsche Bahn described these attacks as acts of vandalism causing ongoing disruption.
The attacks have affected several local lines, including travel to Düsseldorf Airport. Affected were the ICE lines to Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, as well as connections to northern Germany, southern Germany, and the Netherlands. The train company set up a bus shuttle service and rerouted long-distance traffic via Dortmund and Wuppertal due to the disruptions in both local and long-distance traffic.
Responsibility for the attacks has been claimed via Indymedia, an online platform associated with hard-left activists, who framed their actions as resistance against Deutsche Bahn’s perceived role in capitalism and military transport. Another group referred to as the "Angry Birds" has also claimed responsibility for recent sabotage, including setting fires in cable tunnels affecting trains and airport shuttles.
Historically, Germany has experienced a pattern of left-wing extremist militant actions, including arson and sabotage of infrastructure by anarchist and communist-affiliated groups. The current attacks fit within this broader continuum of militant left-wing extremism with anti-capitalist and anti-military motivations.
The authenticity of the claim of responsibility is still being checked by the police. NRW Transport Minister Oliver Krischer has decried the attacks as "massive damage" and promised rigorous prosecution. NRW Interior Minister Herbert Reul stated that the group is known to the authorities as a left-wing extremist participation campaign.
Regarding the potential for future attacks, the sustained frequency and targeting of critical railway infrastructure underscore ongoing operational capabilities and ideological motivations of these groups. The recent doubling of attacks within days in August 2025 suggests an active campaign aimed at disruption. Given the strategic importance of Germany’s rail network and the symbolic target Deutsche Bahn represents for these left-wing extremists, further attacks are plausible unless preventive security and counter-extremism measures are enhanced.
The ongoing digitization of the railway network is expected to improve the situation in the future, making such cable attack points obsolete. Construction work on a parallel freight line in Duisburg-Wedau was temporarily suspended to handle some of the traffic on that route. If it is confirmed that the attack was left-wing extremist-motivated, it would not be the first time such an attack has occurred on the German railway. Previous attacks include those in 2018 and before the G20 summit in Hamburg in 2017.
After repairs, test runs will be necessary before regular service can resume between Duisburg and Düsseldorf. The line has been closed since Thursday due to the attacks and repairs are expected to be completed by midnight. The attack shows "how vulnerable our critical infrastructure is" and it is important to find the culprits to prevent further attacks. Many travelers were still stranded at the main stations in Duisburg and Düsseldorf due to the cancellations and delays.
- In light of the escalating arson attacks on German railways, there is a pressing need for thorough review and revision of both the community policy and employment policy, taking into account the potential threats from left-wing extremist groups.
- The recent spate of arson attacks on German railways, classified as acts of crime and justice, highlights the urgent need for general-news outlets to provide comprehensive coverage on the evolving political context, particularly the role of left-wing extremist ideology in these attacks.
