208 terror suspects held in Saudi Arabia

RIYADH (Saudi Arabia)—More than 200 al-Qaida-linked suspects involved in different plots against the kingdom have been arrested in recent months in Saudi Arabia’s largest anti-terrorism sweep to date, the Interior Ministry said Wednesday. The ministry first reported the arrest of eight men, said to be linked to al-Qaida and allegedly planning to attack oil installations in the kingdom.
An Interior Ministry statement, carried by the Saudi Press Agency, said the eight were part of a terrorist cell led by a non-Saudi man, who was one of those arrested. The planned attacks were to take place in the eastern region of the country, which is home to Saudi’s main oil resources. The arrest of the eight “pre-empted an imminent attack on an oil installation,” the statement said without naming the target or providing more details.
The ministry also said 22 other suspects were arrested for allegedly supporting the al-Qaida terror network. This group plotted to assassinate the country’s religious leaders and security officials, it said.—Agencies