JEDDAH, 4 December 2005 — Saudi security forces detained 17 terror suspects including some linked to the Al-Qaeda terror network, in dawn raids carried out in Riyadh and two other areas, an Interior Ministry official said yesterday.
“All of the suspects were Saudi,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted the official as saying. The arrests were made following raids in Riyadh, Al-Kharj to the south and Majmaa to the north, he explained.
“Some of the arrested elements took part in the activities of the deviant group (Al-Qaeda) while others are suspected of cooperating and sympathizing with their perverse ideas,” said the official.
The official did not say whether any of those arrested figured on a list of 36 most-wanted terrorists published in June. He said 13 suspects were detained in Riyadh, Al-Kharj and Majmaa while the remaining four individuals were picked up at undisclosed locations.
“No injuries or damage were sustained during the raids,” the official said. Security forces also seized weapons and ammunition in the raids on 12 homes in the three areas.
The Kingdom has been battling a two-year wave of bombings and shootings blamed on Al-Qaeda militants since May 2003. Security forces have since killed several leading militants in clashes across the country.
In a message to the nation on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah asked the militants to surrender. He urged the deviants to repent and return to the right path.
While speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News last week, the king lashed out at Al-Qaeda terrorists. “These people are seeking death and don’t know the meaning of jihad,” he said.
King Abdullah also referred to Saudi Arabia’s successful anti-terror campaign. “But I don’t say that we have exterminated terrorism because it needs more time and effort,” he was quoted as saying.
In October, King Abdullah set up a seven-member National Security Council, which includes the defense, interior and foreign ministers, as part of a broader move to strengthen security measures in the country.
He also appointed Prince Muqrin, former Madinah governor, head of the general intelligence.
