Saudis Arrest Al Qaeda Terrorists

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) Good news! Saudi Arabian officials have announced the apprehension of nine suspected militants (their words) in two different operations by security police.

From Arabnews.com:

Security forces have arrested five suspected Al-Qaeda militants, including one foreigner, following a raid in Riyadh. The security forces also learned that the group was planning terrorist attacks in the Kingdom.

The statement from the Interior Ministry carried by the Saudi Press Agency said: "Four nationals and one (foreign) resident were arrested during a raid on a hide-out in Riyadh."

There was an improvised bomb-factory inside the hide-out. None of the five men were on a list of 36 most-wanted terrorists issued by the ministry last year.

"During a search of their hide-out, the (security forces) confiscated ... explosive materials in addition to electronic CDs and documents which prove that they are members of the deviant group," the ministry said. The documents also indicated "criminal plans to carry out destructive attacks inside the Kingdom," the ministry said. The security forces also discovered "equipment to forge documents."

Also confiscated were 12 hand grenades and 1,000,000 Saudi riyals (about $267,000).

In another operation on Monday,

[S]ecurity sources said that police arrested at least four suspected militants in raids on different houses in the northeast Riyadh neighborhood of Al-Fahs Al-Dawry. Dozens of police cars backed by security forces filled the streets of the neighborhood which includes a number of male-only cafes and rest houses.

Although this is great news, it's a little troubling that we never hear what happens to these terrorists when they go to court. Given that Saudi Arabia is a Muslim nation, I wouldn't be surprised if many terrorists are let go with minor punishment. Frankly, not knowing is the hard part.

It's also somewhat ironic that the Arab News can call al Qaeda a "deviant group" which was "planning terrorist attacks," but real care is used not to call the terrorists terrorists. Maybe they want to fend off accusations that Saudi Arabia is a breeding ground and home for terrorists (i.e. "We have no terrorists, just militants."). If so, they're late. That train has left the station.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.