German Exports of Small Arms, Ammunition to Arab States Increase 32 Times

German exports of small arms and ammunition to the Arab region reportedly has reached almost $9 million for the first half of 2015.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — German exports of small arms and ammunition to the Arab region has reached €7,9 million (almost $9 million) for the first half of 2015, a figure 32 times greater than for the same period of 2014, Bild am Sonntag newspaper said, citing German Ministry for Economic Affairs.

The issue was revealed after representatives from the left-wing Die Linke party had made an inquiry to the ministry, the media outlet reported.

According to a response from the German Ministry for Economic Affairs, German exports of small arms to the Arab states for the first half of 2014 stood at some 246,000 euro, while for the same period of 2015 the volume of exports has reached 7,9 million euro.

The newspaper reported that German exports had included not only small arms but also spare parts for it, as well as ammunition.

The left-wing party has criticized German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel for exports of weaponry to the Middle East, citing ongoing conflicts and civil wars in the region, the media outlet reported.