There is an old saying: “You cooked it, you eat it,” often used to describe someone, who makes poor decisions without heeding warnings or advice, only to face the consequences alone. This proverb seems tailor-made to describe Germany’s handling of Saudi Arabia’s warnings before the tragic car-ramming attack that struck the German city of Magdeburg.
Saudi Arabia had set a clear example of international and ethical responsibility by issuing three warnings to German authorities about the danger posed by Talib Al-Abd Al-Mohsen. The suspect had demonstrated extremist tendencies and made explicit threats on social media platforms. These warnings were not casual alerts but based on precise and verified information derived from extensive monitoring of his alarming behavior. The Saudi authorities even indicated that the suspect posed a risk of orchestrating one of the largest terrorist operations on German soil in modern history. Yet, German authorities downplayed the matter, closing the investigation with the justification of “no tangible threat.”
This neglect was not merely a mistake but a disregard for the principle of international cooperation, a principle that Saudi Arabia has consistently championed through intelligence sharing to combat terrorism and extremism. Saudi Arabia, a global leader in countering radical ideologies, again demonstrated its reliability as a partner in achieving global security and stability. Unfortunately, these efforts were met with indifference, leading to catastrophic results in Magdeburg.
The pressing question is: how could a country like Germany, with its history of witnessing similar incidents, ignore three consecutive warnings from a key partner like Saudi Arabia? Was it a failure to properly assess the information, a lack of trust in external sources, or bureaucratic obstacles preventing a serious response? If any of these reasons are true, then the full responsibility lies with German authorities, whose inaction resulted in ignoring clear signals that could have saved lives and prevented the disaster.
Ignoring credible warnings such as those provided by Saudi Arabia is not just a failure of competence; it reflects a deeper undervaluation of international security cooperation. The tragedy in Magdeburg could have been avoided had the warnings been taken seriously. Saudi Arabia, with its proven track record of foiling similar threats, has repeatedly demonstrated the importance of collaboration in ensuring global security, making Germany’s disregard of its warnings inexcusable.
In today’s interconnected world, security cooperation between nations is an urgent necessity, rather than an option. Saudi Arabia has consistently shown itself to be a trusted partner, capable of providing precise and actionable intelligence that enhances global security and stability. The events in Magdeburg serve as a stark reminder that ignoring such warnings endangers not only one nation’s security but also regional and global stability.
In conclusion, the lesson from this incident is clear: “Neglecting responsibility leads to inevitable loss.” Saudi Arabia has fulfilled its duty to warn and cooperate, with issuing three detailed warnings about one of the largest terrorist attacks in Germany’s modern history. German authorities, however, chose to ignore these warnings, leading to tragic consequences for which they must bear full responsibility.
Saudi Arabia’s wisdom and commitment to international security remain unwavering, while those who dismiss it stand to lose far more than they anticipate.
