Biden: We Support Our Allies Against 'Violent Terrorism'

Joe Biden, the President of the United States, issued a statement on Saturday, December 22, in response to the attack on a Christmas market in a German city, stating that the United States will always support its allies against 'violent terrorism.' He expressed condolences to the grieving people of Germany, stating that no community or family should endure such a 'hateful and dark' event, especially on the eve of a holiday of joy and peace. The U.S. President added that his administration officials have been in close contact with their German counterparts and that the United States is ready to provide all necessary resources and assistance to Germany. In the conclusion of his statement, he mentioned that he would remember the injured and deceased from this attack, as well as their families, in the coming days. Concurrently with the release of the U.S. President's message, German prosecutors announced that the assailant of the deadly attack on Friday evening is being charged with murder and attempted murder. At least 5 people were killed and around 200 injured in the attack on the Christmas market in Germany. The deadly attack involved a dark-colored BMW speeding into the crowd of market visitors. The suspected driver, identified as a male doctor from Saudi Arabia, has been arrested by the police. Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, condemned the incident, calling the killing and injuring of citizens of the country with such 'cruelty' a 'horrific' act. The Chancellor described the condition of about 40 of the victims as 'critical' and stated, 'We must be very concerned for them.' According to an eyewitness, 'The perpetrator deliberately drove into a part of the Christmas market that was decorated with scenes from fairy tales, where many families had gathered with their young children.' The motive of the suspect remains unclear, and German media have referred to him by the first name 'Talib.' The city of Magdeburg, the capital of Saxony-Anhalt, is considered part of the former East Germany and has a population of about 240,000. Reuters reported, citing a Saudi source, that the suspect had previously posted some positions against peace and security on the social network 'X,' and Saudi Arabia had warned Germany about this. The German magazine 'Spiegel' reported that the suspect had expressed solidarity with the far-right party 'Alternative for Germany.' This magazine did not reference its source. The German newspaper 'Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung' also noted that in an interview five years ago, the magazine described him as an anti-Islam activist. About eight years ago, an Islamist attacker also drove a truck into a crowd at a Christmas market in Berlin, resulting in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to dozens more.