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By Mandy Taheri
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What's New
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia condemned the Christmas market attack in Magdeburg, Germany, allegedly carried out by Taleb al-Abdulmohsen who is of Saudi descent.
In a statement Saturday, the foreign ministry expressed sympathy to the victims' families, the injured, and to Germany at large, and reiterated its "position of rejecting violence."
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Newsweek has reached out to Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry for comment via email on Saturday.
Why It Matters
The issue of immigration is, alongside the economy, dominating the German election campaign and the center-left party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is on course to lose power in February.
Local press has identified the Magdeburg suspect as as Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia who immigrated to Germany in 2006. They reported that he an anti-Islamist supporter of Alternative for Germany (AfD), an anti-immigrant party with its roots in the far right that is currently in second place in opinion polls.
In the latest in a series of apparent endorsements of right-wing or far-right parties, Elon Musk wrote on X, formerly Twitter, on Friday that "Only the AfD can save Germany."
What To Know
Saudi Arabia's condemnation of the attacks comes after German authorities arrested the suspect. Police have not publicly named the suspect but confirmed he is a Saudi doctor who has lived in Germany for decades.
Saudi Arabia had reportedly warned German authorities about the attacker after he posted extremist views on his X account, Reuters reported, citing a Saudi source.
Around 7 p.m. local time on Friday evening, an individual intentionally drove a car into a busy outdoor Christmas market in Magdeburg. The attack killed five people and has injured over 200, as of Saturday afternoon. Among the casualties is a 9-year-old and four adults.
Over 40 people have been significantly wounded and may increase the death toll, according to the Associated Press.
On December 19, 2016, a similar attack was carried out by an Islamist extremist in Berlin when he drove a truck into a Christmas market, killing 13 people and injuring dozens.
Magdeburg police chief Tom-Oliver Langhans said during a Saturday press briefing that as of now, officials believe the suspect acted alone.
The motive of Friday's attack is not yet clear. Prosecutor Horst Walter Nopens said it may be due to "disgruntlement with the way Saudi Arabian refugees are treated in Germany," but remains under investigation.
The reported suspect's X biography reads: "Saudi Military Opposition • Germany chases female Saudi asylum seekers, inside and outside Germany, to destroy their lives • Germany wants to islamize Europe."
Nopens said at a press conference that the suspect is "being investigated for five counts of suspected murder and 205 counts of suspected attempted murder."
On Saturday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia posted an official statement on X, formerly Twitter, condemning the attack, expressing solidarity with Germany, and affirming its position in "rejecting violence."
The statement wished "the injured a speedy recovery."
There was a memorial service for the victims at the Magdeburg Cathedral on Saturday. Scholz visited the mourning city on Saturday.
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What People Are Saying
Scholz said: "There is no more peaceful and cheerful place than a Christmas market. What a terrible act it is to injure and kill so many people there with such brutality."
French President Emmanuel Macron, posted on X Friday night: "Deeply shocked by the horror that struck the Magdeburg Christmas market in Germany this evening. My thoughts are with the victims, the injured, and their loved ones and families. France shares the pain of the German people and expresses its full solidarity."
Government of Qatar issued a statement on Saturday: "The State of Qatar strongly condemns the run-over attack that occurred in the city of Magdeburg in the Federal Republic of Germany, which resulted in fatalities and injuries. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the State of Qatar's firm stance rejecting violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives and reasons."
Matthew Miller, the U.S. Department of State spokesperson said in a Friday statement: "The United States is shocked and saddened by the tragic news from Magdeburg." In addition to sending condolences, the statement said, "The United States is ready to provide assistance as recovery efforts continue and authorities investigate this horrible incident."
What Happens Next
German authorities are investigating the incident and will likely release additional details about the suspect and his potential motive in the coming days.
The attack may impact the upcoming snap elections, following the collapse of the German coalition government. The country's judiciary has labeled the AfD a "suspected extremist" group since 2021, most recently ruling in 2024 to uphold the designation.
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