JEDDAH, 26 September 2005 — Within the last six months, Saudi security forces stationed on the Iraq border have arrested 682 intruders and smugglers and prevented 63 others from entering the Kingdom, according to a high-level security source.
The source said that by August this year, the Kingdom had spent more than SR4 billion to secure the border with Iraq.
From 2001 to August 2005, border guards seized 14.8 million pieces of live ammunition, 16,300 pieces of weaponry and more than 7,000 kilograms of explosives.
“These security operations along the border have helped in identifying the networks involved in making and supplying explosives to terrorists in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries,” Al-Watan Arabic daily quoted the source as saying.
The source said Saudi Arabia had succeeded in closing 27 routes along the Iraqi border used by smugglers and intruders. “Since March 2004, we have given special training to officers to monitor the Iraqi border,” he said.
Last month, five Iraqi intruders exchanged fire with security forces in Jubail in eastern Saudi Arabia. One Iraqi died in the gun battle while three others were arrested and one got away. Initial reports said the Iraqis were car thieves but Saudi investigators did not rule out their link with terrorism.
The source also disclosed that Saudi security forces had found several places where explosives had been hidden.
Saudi security forces use advanced equipment and systems to monitor movements along the border, including specially-equipped Saudi Royal Air Force aircraft, radar, night-watchers, thermal control systems and surveillance cameras.
“There are 34 fixed units and 37 mobile units monitoring the Iraqi border,” the source said, adding that 19 additional fixed units and a similar number of mobile units would shortly be enlisted to improve border security.
Saudi Arabia has stationed nearly 35,000 troops on its border with Iraq. The soldiers include border guards of the Interior Ministry as well as troops of the National Guard and the Defense Ministry.
The Kingdom has taken these measures without any assistance from Iraq. The source pointed out that the terrorists were using smugglers to get weapons, ammunition and forged documents across the borders. They also deal with drug dealers to get weapons, explosives and logistic support for their operations.
Meanwhile, Shoura Council Chairman Dr. Saleh Bin-Humaid yesterday urged Saudis to stand united behind their leadership against evil forces that try to undermine the Kingdom’s security and stability, the Saudi Press Agency said.
Saudi Arabia has been battling Al-Qaeda terrorists blamed for a series of bombings and shootings across the country since May 2003.
In a statement on the occasion of the National Day, he commended the efforts made by King Abdul Aziz and his men in establishing modern Saudi Arabia after bringing together warring tribes in various parts of the country.
He noted the reputable position attained by Saudi Arabia in the world during the last 75 years. “We are now on the threshold of a new era under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan,” Bin-Humaid said.
The 150-member Shoura Council yesterday discussed a bill related to implementing the agreement that bans the use, production and storage of chemical weapons. Voting on the bill will be held in the next session. The meeting also discussed articles of a new law aimed combating commercial fraud. If passed, the law will replace regulations issued 22 years ago.
