The Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates has condemned the terrorist attack at the Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, which resulted in five fatalities and approximately 200 injuries. The UAE authorities stated they unequivocally condemn the criminal actions and reject all forms of violence aimed at innocent people, undermining security and stability. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed sincere condolences and sympathy to the government and people of the Federal Republic of Germany, the families of the victims of this horrific attack, and wishes for the speedy recovery of all those affected.
The incident, where a car plowed through the crowd during the Christmas market, shocked the nation, taking place against the backdrop of this beloved German tradition held annually across many cities. On December 20, the driver, identified as 50-year-old Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, who arrived from Saudi Arabia in 2006, was arrested at the scene of the crime, and local police have characterized the attack as intentional.
The brutal attack caused distress not only among the victims' families but also throughout Germany, leaving the mayor of Magdeburg visibly shaken during the festive event. The city, which has a population of around 240,000 and is located west of Berlin, now finds itself grappling with the aftermath of the attack.
Media outlets reported dramatic footage showing the car violently crashing through the festive market, leading to the alarming reports of five fatalities and over 200 injuries, with more than 100 individuals hospitalized, many of whom are critically hurt. Following the attack, al-Abdulmohsen was taken under custody and faces charges including murder and attempted murder.
His background adds complexity to the situation: he was previously employed as a psychiatrist near Magdeburg and described himself as anti-Islamist, criticizing both the Saudi regime and pertaining matters within Germany. Al-Abdulmohsen has also expressed sympathies toward the far-right political party 'Alternative for Germany', hinting at his potential political leanings. Since arriving in Germany, he had been vocal on social media, branding himself as part of the 'military opposition' to Saudi Arabia and voicing concerns about the treatment of refugee women.
The supposed motivations behind the attack are still unclear, with German prosecutors having suggested preliminary reasons linked to dissatisfaction with the conditions refugees face. Meanwhile, it has been revealed by German media outlets after the incident, Saudi Arabia had warned Germany about the potential threat posed by al-Abdulmohsen and requested his extradition, but Germany took no action.
Following the tragedy, high-ranking officials, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, visited Magdeburg for memorial services, with Scholz expressing, "The whole of our country mourns together with Magdeburg. It is horrific how many people were killed and injured here at the joyful Christmas market with unbelievable cruelty." The interior minister, Nancy Faeser, acknowledged it was too soon to draw conclusions but reassured the public the investigation would be thorough.
On Saturday, December 21, Magdeburg witnessed more than just mourning; far-right groups held demonstrations near the attack site, chanting slogans such as "Re-immigration." Their presence reflects how this tragic event may impact political sentiment within Germany, particularly concerning the government's refugee policies. Members of the Alternative for Germany have already attempted to shift the blame for the attack onto the federal Ministry of the Interior.
Interestingly, the incident encapsulates conflicting motivations. Al-Abdulmohsen's profile displays elements of both jihadist and far-right terror motifs, creating confusion about the nature of the attack. While he has publicly opposed radical Islamic ideologies and the brutalities stemming from them, he executed his attack on predominantly Christian festivities at the Christmas market. Activists familiar with him noted, "He was an atheist and opposed to ISIS, yet he attacked precisely like they would. He targeted Christians at their festival," pointing to the blended extremes of varying ideologies.
Experts on terrorism have categorized al-Abdulmohsen within the new classification of 'mixed and undefined extremists', whose motivations often clash and fluctuate, especially during periods like the recent worldwide pandemic when conspiracy theories run rampant. Peter Naumann, a terrorism researcher, noted the rise of individuals whose violent ideologies stem from both psychological distress and conspiracy theories, indicating their rise post-pandemic may impact future threat assessments.
