SAUDI ARABIA

Three wanted terrorists shot dead in Saihat

July 22, 2017

RIYADH — Saudi security forces shot dead three men wanted for terrorist attacks in the country, the Interior Ministry announced on Friday.

The men — two Saudis and a Bahraini — were killed in an exchange of fire with the police in Saihat town in Qatif governorate last week, the ministry said.

Police seized three machine guns, a pistol, ammunition and more than 10 kilograms of explosives in their possession, the Saudi Press Agency reported quoting the Interior Ministry's security spokesman.

He said the men were wanted for their involvement in deadly attacks against the police, as well as an attack on a vehicle used to transport cash, abductions and weapons trafficking.

The attack on July 14 occurred when security officers intercepted a stolen Toyota Corolla in the busy Al-Zuhoor district of Saihat, SPA said. The car carried a fake plate number.

As the security officers surrounded the stolen vehicle, the three men in the car started firing heavily and randomly at both the officers and crowds of civilians near the scene. The security services were able to shoot the three terrorists dead before they were able to cause any injury to either the officers or passersby.

"They had to be dealt with to neutralize their threat," the ministry's spokesman said.

Upon further investigation to establish the identity of the criminals, it was discovered that they were part of a known terrorist cell and wanted for a number of serious crimes over the past few years, including the murder of ten security officers.

Weapons and other items found in the possession of the three terrorists are an indication of the ugliness and severity of the acts of terrorism they were planning to carry out, victimizing innocent lives and private and public property.

"It is very clear that these men were intent on causing a major terrorist incident which would have resulted in the death of many innocent citizens," the spokesman said.

"Due to the bravery and expertise of our police and security services, this evil plan was foiled. We thank God for their courage and dedication," he added.

"Terrorists and extremists target Saudi Arabia just as they do the countries of Europe and other peace loving parts of the world. We in Saudi Arabia are determined to defeat them, and will devote all available resources to overcoming this great evil," he said.

"Saudi Arabia will have zero tolerance for terrorist crimes of this kind, which threaten both national security and the lives of our citizens."

The Interior Ministry identified the dead terrorists as Saudi nationals Jaafar Bin Hassan Makki Al-Mbeirik and Sadiq Abdullah Mahdi Al-Darweesh, and Hassan Bin Mahmood Ali Abu Abdullah from Bahrain.

Officers who were martyred in the terrorist attacks involving the three men included privates Obeid Abed Al-Mutairi, Sami Muawwadh Al-Harbi, Abdulsalam Birjis Sayyah Al-Enizi, Nawwaf Mihmas Ali Al-Otaibi, Hassan Jabbar Sahlouli, Mfarrij Faleh Al-Sibei, Mousa Dakheelallah Al-Sharari and Fahd Qaed Al-Ruwaili, Chief Warrant Officer Mousa Ali Muhammad Al-Qibbi and Corporal Sultan Bin Salah Musslih Al-Mutairi.

Investigations are continuing into the activities of the terrorist cell and their associates. — SPA/Agencies


July 22, 2017
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