No more “state of peace”?
Bundeswehr general reaps objection to war warning
10/09/2022 3:17 p.m
Is Germany in a state of “not quite peace anymore”. Bundeswehr General Breuer sees it that way and warns of further serious attacks on the critical infrastructure. SPD transport politician Martin also sees this danger, but warns against “scaremongering”.
The dramatic warning from Bundeswehr General Carsten Breuer against attacks on Germany’s critical infrastructure met with opposition from the SPD. In an interview on the occasion of the alleged sabotage at Deutsche Bahn, the commander of the new territorial command told the Bundeswehr to “Bild am Sonntag” that Germany was in a state “that was no longer completely peaceful”.
“I don’t share Carsten Breuer’s analysis,” said Dorothee Martin, spokeswoman for transport policy for the SPD parliamentary group. “Of course the situation is serious.” She referred, for example, to the sabotage of the train, which paralyzed train traffic in large parts of northern Germany on Saturday. “But that’s no reason to panic, because of course we are in a state of peace in Germany.”
“Every substation, every power plant, every pipeline” could be attacked and be a possible target, Breuer explained. The Bundeswehr leadership is “prepared primarily for hybrid threats”. In particular, he included “influencing, with attacks on infrastructure and with cyber attacks, or, for example, reconnaissance flights with drones over barracks”.
Another wake up call
Breuer called on citizens to change their behavior. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine has shown that war in Europe is possible again. Everyone has to adjust to that. He also advised to adjust the storage in the household and to buy a flashlight and enough batteries. In an emergency, however, Germany could defend itself, Breuer said. “Militarily we have taken a step forward. In any case, we can counter the influence we are currently exposed to very much.” At the same time, he warned against underestimating the nuclear threats from Russia. “Our way of life, our values, our entire society” are threatened.
Numerous politicians described the alleged attack on the train as a “wake-up call”. FDP General Secretary Bijan Djir-Sarai told the “Rheinische Post”: “After the acts of sabotage on Nord Stream 1 and 2, the targeted attacks on rail traffic are another loud wake-up call that sensitive and endangered systems must be better protected against attacks.” This also includes “that the critical infrastructures are given more attention by our security authorities”.