Abstract: An internal combustion engine. Exhaust gas is flowable through an exhaust tract. Secondary air is flowable through a secondary air conduit and is introducible into the exhaust tract via the secondary air conduit. A mixture having secondary air introduced into the exhaust tract and fuel components is ignitable in the exhaust tract by an ignition device. Fresh air flowing through a suction tract is introducible into a combustion chamber via the suction tract. The secondary air conduit is fluidically connected to the suction tract at a diversion point where a portion of the fresh air in the suction tract is divertable from the suction tract by the secondary air conduit and is introducible into the exhaust tract as the secondary air. The fuel components that are contained in the exhaust gas, originate from the combustion chamber and reach the exhaust tract uncombusted from the combustion chamber.