Saudi security officer shot dead

Mishal Al-Otaibi RIYADH — A Saudi colonel was shot dead in the Riyadh region on Tuesday, the interior ministry said. Col. Kattab Majid Al-Hammadi was killed by gunfire “from an unknown source” in the town of Duwadimi, the ministry said in a statement, adding that an investigation has been launched. The attack is the second against Saudi police in the past four days. The Interior Ministry announced that a foreign resident was killed in a bomb blast targeting a police patrol vehicle late on Saturday, also in the Riyadh region. Authorities  said two security patrol vehicles parked in the area were damaged in the bombing. In December, Saudi Arabia announced the creation of an “anti-terrorism” coalition whose members it said would share intelligence, counter violent ideology and deploy troops if necessary to combat extremists. The funeral prayer for Al-Hammadi will be held at Duwadimi mosque on Wednesday and his body will be buried there, according to Shahir Al-Hammadi, younger brother of the martyred colonel. Daesh (the so called IS) owned responsibility for killing Al-Hammadi, who was working with the General Investigation department under the Ministry of Interior. “Our elder brother had the death of a martyr and hero, and this would be a matter of pride for our family members throughout our life. He is well-known for his gentle behavior and loving nature,” Shahir said adding that Al-Hammadi is survived by his wife and children below the age of 10. According to the security spokesman at the Ministry of Interior, an unknown assailant fired at Col. Al-Hammadi at around 8.30 a.m. at Al-Arja Center in Duwadimi, killing him instantly.