Saudi holds 200 militants, says foils oil attack

RIYADH (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia said on Wednesday it had arrested 208 people for involvement in several cells that planned an “imminent attack” on an oil installation, and attacks on clerics and security forces.

State television said one of the cells was planning to smuggle in missiles. Al Qaeda sympathizers have mounted a campaign against the U.S.-allied Saudi monarchy since 2003.


A cell of eight militants led by a foreign resident planned an attack on an oil facility in the Eastern Province of the world’s largest oil-exporting nation, said the report, citing an Interior Ministry statement.

“Security forces foiled an imminent attack on an oil support installation in the Eastern Province after the perpetrators prepared themselves and set a date,” state television said.

The report said 18 of those arrested belonged to a cell led by an “expert in launching missiles” who had slipped into the country. Another 22 were part of a group that plotted to kill clerics and security forces, it said.

Reuters