RIYADH, 16 November 2003 — Visiting a compound after last week’s terrorist attack is like entering a military zone.
Sandbags, barricades, spikes that deflate tires, soldiers, machine guns, armored vehicles, barbed wire, three or more checkpoints — all are more reminiscent of occupied Iraq than uptown Riyadh. But since the deadly terrorist attack on the Al-Muhaya Compound, which left 18 dead and over 120 injured, no one is taking any chances.
Most compounds Arab News visited this week have three layers of security. First there is a checkpoint manned by members of the National Guard where anyone — resident or visitor — is asked to present his ID and state the purpose of his visit. He is then asked to open the trunk and hood of the car. Given clearance, the person then encounters another checkpoint, this time manned by compound security personnel. Security check the interior of the car with a metal detector — even underneath the steering wheel — and mirrors are used to look underneath the car for any explosives.
At the entrance there is a third checkpoint.
Almost all compounds have doubled the number of barricades surrounding the premises from all four sides. The number of soldiers has also increased. Several compounds have installed cameras so that security guards at the gate can observe what is going on at all three checkpoints in case of any possible attack. In such cases, the front gate would be sealed shut before the terrorists had a chance to get there.
The National Guard also drive their armored vehicles around the premises on the hour. Near one of the compounds on Prince Abdullah Street, security personnel have closed the street and put up barricades 100 meters away from the entrance. Owners and residents living in villas on the same street were asked to give their names and descriptions of their cars so that they could then be allowed access. All other cars were stopped at the entrance of the street and asked the purpose of their visit.
It is not only compound security that has been beefed up. Police or the National Guard are now securing banks, office complexes and even malls.
A source in the National Guard told Arab News on condition of anonymity: “We were given orders from the top that security around compounds should be tightened and that the number of guards be doubled.”
The source said that a list containing license plate numbers of suspicious cars had also been distributed.
“Walls have been put up in front of compounds whose front gates used to be exposed. More armored vehicles have been called in. There are more security checkpoints and surveillance points. All loopholes are plugged,” he said.
Last week’s terrorist attack has left the Arab expat community in shock and disbelief. The attack came seven months after the triple suicide terrorist attacks on May 12 that left 35 people including the nine suicide bombers dead.
Compounds in the capital allow mixed gatherings and do not enforce a dress code for women. The compounds also offer recreation and leisure facilities not available publicly such as tennis courts, basketball courts, swimming pools, and even theaters.
