From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
Security beefed up around PSG-Barcelona soccer match after Islamic State threat
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French police are tightening security around Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) Parc des Princes stadium on Wednesday following a threat of attacks by Islamic State that adds to security worries ahead of the upcoming summer Olympics.
PSG play Barcelona later in a Champions League soccer quarterfinal to be viewed by millions around the world.
Spain and Britain also doubled down this week around their respective Champions League quarter-finals on Tuesday and Wednesday after the resurgent Islamic State terror group urged attacks against host venues, including with drones.
At PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium on Wednesday, police are towing away parked cars and installing concrete blocks.
Islamic State has urged followers to recreate a November 2015 attack on the Stade de France stadium, featuring an image of the Parc des Princes stadium, according to Site Intelligence group, which tracks Islamic terrorist postings.
Another image seen by Site Intelligence urged terrorists to use drones to attack the stadiums.
Spain said it had deployed more than 2,000 officers to boost security in Madrid for the games there.
Islamic State’s Afghan branch, known as ISIS-K, has been particularly active in recent months. The group claimed responsibility for a mass-fatality attack at a concert near Moscow last month, and also carried out twin bombings in Iran that killed nearly 100 people earlier this year.
The Times of Israel Community.