Spanish intelligence services have identified what they describe as jihadist calls for attacks on police officers and demonstrators during the wave of protests that has swept several European countries in recent weeks. The alert, first reported by the Madrid-based daily El País, is said to be based on an internal report from Spain's Cybersecurity Coordination Office, which monitors extremist activity online.
According to the Spanish newspaper, the messages were posted on a website allegedly linked to the Islamic State group and urge militants to exploit the mass demonstrations and street clashes that have erupted in countries including Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. The text reportedly describes the protests as “a rare opportunity to attack” and suggests that police “become easy prey when there are skirmishes with demonstrators.”
In Portugal, the Internal Security System (SSI) has confirmed that it is following the matter closely. In a statement to the national news agency Lusa, the SSI said its Secretary-General is “closely monitoring the situation” and remains “in constant liaison with the relevant authorities.” The response did not provide further operational details, but the confirmation underscores the seriousness with which Lisbon is treating the threat.
Protests turn violent in France and Italy
The demonstrations, which have been largely driven by the cost-of-living crisis and housing shortages, reached a peak last weekend. In France, more than 800,000 people are estimated to have taken part in rallies across the country, with some turning violent. In Limoges, the city hall was set on fire and largely destroyed, while in Lyon the tourism office suffered a similar fate. Italian cities, particularly Milan, also saw arson attacks and clashes between protesters and police.
The unrest has put security forces on high alert across the continent. In France, President Emmanuel Macron has convened a security council to prepare for further protests, as reported by French authorities brace for more demonstrations. Italy has also taken precautionary measures, including deploying elite units and drones to secure upcoming rallies.
In Portugal and Spain, the daily protests and “camp-outs” in city squares—most notably in Lisbon, Porto and Madrid—have been largely peaceful, but the presence of large crowds has raised concerns about potential security vulnerabilities. The Spanish Interior Ministry report, which El País says it has obtained, specifically warns that the protests offer a “rare opportunity” for jihadist groups to carry out attacks.
The threat is not entirely new. European security agencies have long warned about the radicalisation of individuals inspired by jihadist propaganda, and the current wave of social unrest provides a fertile ground for such calls. The fact that the messages are circulating on a platform linked to the Islamic State group adds to the urgency.
Portugal's SSI has not disclosed whether it has raised the national threat level, but its statement suggests that the country's security apparatus is taking the matter seriously. The SSI coordinates intelligence and security services in Portugal, and its involvement indicates that the alert is being treated as a credible concern.
The situation is being closely watched across Europe, particularly in countries where protests have been most intense. In Spain, the government has not publicly commented on the report, but the Interior Ministry is known to be in contact with its counterparts in Portugal and France. The possibility of a general strike in the Iberian peninsula has also been floated by Spanish unions, which could further complicate the security landscape.
For now, the immediate focus is on preventing any attack. Security forces in Portugal, Spain, France and Italy are likely to increase their presence at protest sites, and the public is being urged to remain vigilant. The coming days will test whether the authorities can balance the right to protest with the need to ensure public safety.
