ISIS claims the Berlin Christmas market attack, which killed 12 people and injured dozens of people, after 24 hours of the massacre through the Islamic State's Amaq News Agency. ISIS called the attacker "a lone wolf soldier of the Islamic State."
A month before the incident, ISIS' official gazette encouraged radicals and supporters to imitate the Nice attack which used vehicles in conducting terror attacks. It also stated that the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade of New York is the best example to perform the assaults.
German police reported the release of the young man who was convicted prior to the attack as evidence gathered in the crime scene did not match with the suspected criminal. The 23-year-old suspect's blood and DNA are different from what had been collected in the truck, according to Mirror.
Police declared investigation to unmask the perpetrators is still ongoing and that the suspects behind the Berlin terror attack are still on the loose.
"They're really back to square one in terms of this investigation. ... It may well be a scenario of a manhunt, a race against time to arrest this individual before they can strike again," Paul Cruickshank, CNN terrorism analyst, said.
Chancellor Angela Merkell has been drawing flak because of her decision to allow refugees inside the borders of Germany in 2015 which amounted to nearly a million people. The recent incident, which she claimed as a 'terror attack', proved that Germany is predisposed to further assaults that may involve extremists and supporters of the cause.
"By her unilateral action by allowing this wave of refugees to come into Europe, she definitely exposed Germany, and others, to the risk of terrorism," US diplomat John Bolton, said.
In spite of the verbal attacks, Merkell called for unity in Germany. "I know that it would be especially hard to bear for us if it was to be confirmed that a person who committed this act was given protection and asylum in Germany," she said.
The Christmas stalls at the market that were normally busy this holiday season are silent after the attack. Several hundred people prayed for the souls of the departed at the adjacent Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Members of a local mosque also participated in the emotional service, according to NY Times.
"We wanted to show our solidarity and that our community stands for peace," said Hasnen Ahmad, a member of the group.
