Germany is confronting daily 'hybrid warfare' attacks from abroad, according to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt, who spoke to Bild am Sonntag on Sunday. He asserted that foreign powers aim to subdue Germany politically and socially by stoking fear.

'We are not at war, but we are the daily target of hybrid warfare,' Dobrindt said. He emphasized that espionage, sabotage, cyberattacks, and covert operations by foreign powers aimed at destabilizing Germany or inflicting direct harm are a constant reality.

The minister did not identify specific countries behind the alleged attacks. However, his comments come after an explosive-laden drone was discovered at Leipzig/Halle Airport on Tuesday, prompting some German lawmakers to point fingers at Russia. The Russian embassy in Berlin dismissed the incident as a 'fabricated provocation' and an example of unsubstantiated accusations against Moscow.

According to Bild, citing government sources, Germany plans to bolster its counter-drone capabilities. Dobrindt's ministry reportedly wants to double the federal anti-drone expert team from 150 to 300 personnel and increase the network of related bases from four to eight.

Separately, Germany's armed forces reported spotting two drones over a military base in Mechernich, North Rhine-Westphalia, late Thursday. In Bulgaria, a drone exploded near the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline on Saturday, though the defense ministry said there was no reason to suspect foul play.

The drone incidents across Europe have renewed concerns that Russia's war in Ukraine could increasingly affect neighboring NATO states. NATO and EU officials have blamed Russia for previous drone sightings, but Moscow has rejected all allegations.

Source: www.aljazeera.com