Saudi Arabia: German diplomats under fire

On 13 January, two German diplomats came under attack near the town of Awamiyah, in Eastern Province, when gunmen fired on their car. Both diplomats escaped unharmed, but the vehicle caught fire. Saudi police have launched a manhunt for the gunmen, and the German embassy has launched its own investigation. There is considerable speculation locally about why the Germans were in the area, and whether they had avoided checkpoints by passing through back roads. Ambassador Dieter Haller has been quoted as saying they “went on a drive”.