We don’t need German military equipment

 

Abdullah Al Alami*

November 18, 2020

Saudi Arabia was very clear in its response to Germany over its ban on arms sales to the Kingdom. Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir slammed Berlin over this ban describing it as "wrong" and "illogical".

How did it all start? German Chancellor Angela Merkel's coalition agreed in March 2018 to prevent arms from being delivered to any country “directly involved in the war in Yemen”. Prior to the ruling, Germany exported €254 million ($300 million) to Saudi in 2017.

I believe the German move is illogical and means nothing to Riyadh for a couple of reasons. First, Saudi Arabia pointed out in many instances that the war in Yemen is a legitimate war, as Riyadh was forced into it. The second reason is that Saudi Arabia arms purchases are not limited to Germany, but a number of other countries.

German weapons do not make a difference to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia confirmed it doesn't need German military equipment anyway.

Not only Germany took that awkward step, but it is also pushing other European Union member states to follow its example in stopping arms exports to Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia emphasized it did not want to put pressure on Germany over the arms issue, there are plenty of other sources.

Well, after being extended many times, Germany’s ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia will again come up for discussion in the coming weeks as the latest deadline, Dec. 31, draws closer.

Saudi Arabia position is firm; it had indicated many times that people need to look at Saudi involvement in the war in Yemen from a balanced perspective. Some countries still don’t understand that Saudi Arabia was forced into this war.

I still believe that cooperation between Saudi Arabia and Germany will continue. Saudi German relations go a long way; the 1929 Friendship Treaty between Germany and what was then the Kingdom of Hijaz and Najd is well documented. The presence of the Saudi Ministry of Investment in Germany, as well as intensified efforts by the German Saudi Liaison Office for Economic Affairs in the Kingdom will continue to help both countries’ investments and cooperation.

*Saudi writer

abdulla.alami@gmail.com