Extremist cells in Riyadh and Jeddah busted Ahmad Abdullah Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – Saudi authorities announced Sunday they had foiled a terror plot by arresting two Saudi citizens and six Yemenis affiliated with Al-Qaeda in Yemen, and busted two extremist cells in Riyadh and Jeddah. The Interior Ministry said in a statement the suspects were “in contact with the deviant organization abroad." The suspects were working on “recruiting elements to execute criminal attacks targeting security forces, citizens and foreign residents, as well as public installations," it said in a statement. The ministry also named two nationals as wanted for questioning. “Investigations revealed that those elements were at an advanced stage... including preparing explosives and testing them outside Riyadh," the ministry said, adding that one suspect accidentally lost a finger during the tests. The first Saudi suspect turned out to be the head of the cell in Riyadh, and he gave “detailed information" that led to the arrest of the six Yemenis, who also confessed to taking part in the plot. He also provided the security authorities with information about terrorist members nicknamed “The Lion", “The Battle Knight", “Al-Jihad Tiger" and “Abu Jandal Al-Yamani". Police found “chemicals used for explosives as well as mobile phones wired to detonate explosive devices remotely," at an annex of a mosque in the capital. Investigations also led to a link with the other cell in Jeddah. The ministry said that a Saudi member of that cell “who worked on preparing explosive chemicals" was arrested. In light of the above, security authorities have asked Saudi nationals Saleh Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al-Suhaibani and Ali Nasser Abdullah Aal Araar Asiri, who are hiding from security forces, to come forward and explain their positions and roles in these activities. Their families have been notified about this request. The Ministry of Interior urged the general public with any information about Al-Suhaibani and Asiri to call 990 or report to the nearest police station. The ministry also warned that anyone providing shelter to these terrorists or has anything to do with them will be held responsible. Saudi Arabia witnessed a wave of deadly attacks by Al-Qaeda between 2003 and 2006, which prompted the authorities to launch a crackdown on the local branch of the group. – With agencies
