DAMMAM, 25 April 2004 — In the aftermath of the Riyadh blast and clashes in Jeddah, security in the Eastern Province has also been intensified, with National Guards posted at sensitive locations.
Security was already high after suicide attacks at housing compounds in Riyadh last May and November claimed at least 52 lives. Security personnel were checking car boots and the ID of drivers and passengers. Now sniffer dogs are used to detect explosives.
Security officials say they do not want to take any chances. “It’s a small inconvenience for people, but it is for their own security,” said an official at King Fahd International Airport, where security has been further increased and every car arriving or departing is thoroughly checked.
At housing compounds all cars are thoroughly checked. Most of the compounds, especially those housing Western expatriates, are surrounded by big concrete blocks, and additional forces have been deployed there.
Some of the narrow streets which pass between compounds have been closed to regular traffic. One side of a two-way road passing through one of the most prestigious compounds in the Golden Belt area has been completely closed to vehicular traffic. “These are preventive measures necessary for the security of the people,” said the officer in charge of security near that compound.
At major hotels, government offices and other public places, security personnel thoroughly check the arriving cars. Security has also been tightened at the two beaches and at the amusement parks nearby.
The Eastern Province police confirmed that it has increased patrols in the twin cities and more patrol cars have been put into action.
Some people admit that they are concerned. “We avoid staying in public places or where there are large crowds,” said Andrew Flicks, a British resident in Alkhobar.
But Asians and Arabs for the most part do not share his nervousness.
On Thursday there was a big entertainment program at Prince Muhammad ibn Fahd Amusement Park at Half Moon Beach where thousands of expatriates gathered to listen to famous south Indian singer K.J. Yesudas. Organizers confirmed that the park was full to the capacity and the program went smoothly.
Similarly on Friday at the same venue thousands of Pakistanis and Indians gathered to see the stage performance of famous Pakistani entertainer Omar Sharif and the program, which continued till late in the night, went without a hitch.
