Assassination of Russian Ambassador and Suicide Attack in Germany 2016

Two horrifying incidents will have significant repercussions in the coming period. The first is the assassination of the Russian ambassador, Andrey Karlov, in Turkey just a few hours ago, and the second is a truck attack on a tourist gathering at a market in Berlin, the capital of Germany, just minutes ago. The truck ran over about 60 people, killing 9 instantly and injuring more than 50 others.

The First Story:

A young police officer in the Turkish civil service, reportedly recently dismissed, named Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş, 22 years old, shot the Russian ambassador eight times. Three bullets hit the ambassador, knocking him to the ground, and after he fell, five more bullets were fired. The ambassador died upon arriving at the hospital.

The young officer shouted phrases supporting the people of Aleppo, such as "Allahu Akbar... this is for Aleppo... don't forget Aleppo... don't forget Syria... as long as our country is not safe, you will not taste safety... everyone who has a hand in this injustice will pay." He concluded with words spoken by the early Muslims in Medina (the Ansar) while digging the trench: "We are those who have pledged to Muhammad to fight forever." Finally, he said, "I swear I will not leave this hall alive."

The Russian ambassador, Andrey Karlov, was opening an art exhibition titled "Russia Through Turkish Eyes" in the heart of Ankara, the capital. The officer entered the exhibition using his security badge and stood behind the ambassador on the opening platform as if he were his bodyguard, even though security personnel were usually among the audience and not on the stage. No one suspected him due to his uniform and young age.

After 15 minutes, special forces surrounded the building where the incident took place, stormed in, and killed the officer after he injured three police officers.

The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that tomorrow's scheduled meeting between the Russian, Turkish, and Iranian foreign ministers in Turkey regarding the situation in Syria and the Turkish defense minister's visit to Russia will proceed as planned without any cancellation.

The Second Story:

A large Scania truck drove at high speed into a crowded tourist market in Berlin. Despite running over several people, the driver did not stop. Police fired at the car, killing the co-driver, but the driver himself is still at large, although several suspects have been arrested. The incident has been classified as a terrorist act, and the investigation is now ongoing on that basis.

Implications of the Two Incidents:

The assassination of the ambassador and the truck attack will place significant pressure on Turkey in tomorrow's foreign ministers' meeting, mainly since many Turkish government officials have expressed full support for the people of Syria, particularly those in Aleppo. There was hope that tomorrow's meeting would lead to swift decisions to address the crisis in Aleppo with Russia and Iran, the two major players in the Syrian crisis. Additionally, Germany may directly intervene in the fight against terrorism and take a stronger stance against the influx of Syrian and other Arab refugees into Europe to alleviate public anger over terrorism.

Looking Ahead:

Finally, after the assassination and the truck attack, and with Trump confirmed today in the second and final Electoral College vote, which was the last hope of removing him from the U.S. presidency, we can expect, God willing, a world governed by a thirst for war and bloodshed over the next four years. There's little solace for those advocating for reason and wisdom. Perhaps the coming year will bring good fortune to them and to us, God willing.