Four Frenchmen Slain in Saudi Arabia

(Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) In the first major attack against foreigners since 2004, four French nationals have died. They were shot in their car by unknown gunmen while driving in northwest Saudi Arabia near the holy Muslim city of Medina. Three died at the scene and the fourth succumbed to his wounds in the hospital.

At the time of the attack, nine total French nationals, some Muslim, were reportedly (1) going to Mecca for a pilgrimage or (2) returning from a tour of historical sites. There has been no confirmation either way.

Meanwhile, killers swearing allegiance to al-Qaeda vowed last month to renew their campaign to rid Westerners from the kingdom. They made the announcement on a website that had been dormant for about two years. As a consequence, I suppose we should be expecting more attacks on Westerners in Saudi Arabia.

French President Jacques Chirac expressed shock, calling the attack "hateful." Since it happens regularly, it's not clear why he would be shocked that radical Islamists murder innocent people. Rather than shocked, he should be pissed.