Country Reports on Terrorism 2015 - Saudi Arabia

Overview: During 2015, the Saudi Arabian government continued to build and augment its capacity to counter terrorism and violent extremist ideologies. In addition to confronting the threat from al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), the Saudis faced lethal attacks from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and maintained a high-tempo of counterterrorism operations. Both AQAP and ISIL continued to encourage individual acts of terrorism within the Kingdom. The spate of ISIL attacks against Shia mosques, Saudi security forces, and Western targets in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states in 2015 underscored the threat posed to Saudi Arabia and the region by ISIL, and encouraged Saudi Arabia to work more closely with both Western and GCC partners to counter the ISIL threat.

Saudi Arabia continued to maintain a vigorous counterterrorism relationship with the United States, supported enhanced bilateral cooperation to ensure the safety of both U.S. and Saudi citizens within Saudi territories and abroad, and was an active participant in the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL. On December 14, the Saudi Arabian government announced a 34-state Islamic Counterterrorism Coalition to be headquartered in Riyadh that will focus on countering violent extremism and coordinating military efforts against all terrorist threats – including ISIL – in Muslim countries. Furthermore, the Saudi government remained attuned to the continuing threat from AQAP.

The Saudi government took a zero-tolerance stance on ISIL, condemning its activities and participating in coalition military action to defeat the group in Syria and Iraq. Its external military action against ISIL in Syria as a part of the U.S.-led coalition was complemented by an aggressive campaign by both official clerics and King Salman to discredit the group and condemn its activities as acts of terrorism. Saudi Arabia implemented UN Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) 2178 and 2199, and the UN 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da'esh) and al-Qa'ida sanctions regime; expanded existing counterterrorism programs and rhetoric to address the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters; and leveraged terrorism finance provisions of its Law for Crimes of Terrorism and Terrorist Financing (CT Law) to counter the funding of violent extremist groups in Iraq and Syria.

2015 Terrorist Incidents: A number of attacks on both Saudi and Western targets occurred despite Saudi efforts to detect and disrupt terrorist activity. ISIL posed a persistent challenge to Saudi security services, claiming responsibility for or inspiring the most egregious incidents in the Kingdom during 2015. On January 30, an individual, possibly inspired by ISIL, attacked two U.S. defense contractors in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province, killing one. Since May, ISIL conducted two suicide attacks against Shia mosques in the Eastern Province, a suicide attack on Saudi security personnel in a mosque in Abha, and a suicide attack against a Shia mosque in Najran. In mid-October, a gunman affiliated with ISIL killed five Shia worshippers at a prayer hall. In addition to targeting Westerners and Saudi Shia, terrorist groups have plotted and conducted successful attacks against Saudi security forces by focusing attacks on border outposts, police stations, and military facilities. In September, two Saudi youth coerced their cousin, a cadet in the Special Security Forces (SSF) Academy, to travel to the desert and recorded a video of his execution in an attempt to gain membership in ISIL. Additionally, in fall 2015, Saudi security forces in Riyadh discovered and interdicted an IED cell and arms cache, resulting in a brief gunfight with the would-be attackers. In all cases, the Saudi government worked closely with U.S. counterparts to clarify the circumstances regarding these attacks and responded quickly to ensure proper security measures were in place to better secure U.S. installations and interests.

Legislation, Law Enforcement, and Border Security: Saudi Arabia enacted a new counterterrorism law containing 41 articles in 2014 that strengthened its existing counterterrorism provisions. In 2015, Saudi Arabia continued to disrupt terrorist activities in the Kingdom by tracking, arresting, and prosecuting terrorist suspects. The Saudi Ministry of Interior (MOI) General Investigations Directorate, also known as the Mabahith, is responsible for conducting counterterrorism investigations in the Kingdom and, upon its discretion, will cooperate with other elements of the Saudi government to further investigations into specific cases. Once the investigation is complete, the case is transferred to the Special Investigations and Public Prosecutions Office for the duration of the trial. The Saudi government continued its programs to improve physical border security through the employment of biometric systems, aerial reconnaissance, thermal imaging, and remote unattended sensors along its borders. Throughout 2015, Saudi Arabia faced a deteriorating security situation with its neighbors, Iraq and Yemen.

Neighborhood police units engaged and worked directly with community members in Saudi Arabia, encouraging citizens to provide tips and information about suspected terrorist activity. The government offered rewards for information on terrorists, and Saudi security services made several announcements throughout the year pertaining to the arrest of large numbers of ISIL and AQAP terrorists and supporters.

Countering the Financing of Terrorism: Saudi Arabia is a member of the Middle East and North Africa Financial Action Task Force, a Financial Action Task Force (FATF)-style regional body. Its financial intelligence unit (FIU), the Saudi Arabia FIU (SAFIU), is a member of the Egmont Group. The Saudi government affirmed its commitment to combatting terrorism financing in the Kingdom and sought to further establish itself as a leader in disrupting terrorism finance within the Gulf region. The MOI continued to provide specialized training programs for financial institutions, prosecutors, judges, customs and border officials, and other sectors of the government as part of its effort to enhance programs designed to counter terrorism financing. The Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency has standing requirements for all financial institutions within the Kingdom's jurisdiction to implement all of the recent anti-money laundering and combatting the financing of terrorism recommendations issued by the FATF. Saudi Arabia earned observer status in the FATF in June 2015 and is in a process toward full membership in the organization.

For the first time, Saudi Arabia produced certified bank records in response to a mutual legal assistance request, based on reciprocity and increased cooperation on identification of foreign terrorist fighters traveling to Syria and Iraq.

Saudi Arabia, along with Italy and the United States, co-lead the Counter-ISIL Finance Group, which coordinates the Counter-ISIL Coalition's efforts to disrupt and dismantle ISIL's financial infrastructure. In 2015, Saudi Arabia increased its public designations of individuals and entities for violating the Kingdom's laws criminalizing terrorism financing and support. In April, Saudi Arabia and the United States took joint action to designate al-Furqan Foundation Welfare Trust, the successor entity to the Afghan Support Committee and Revival of Islamic Heritage Society branches in Pakistan and Afghanistan. In May and November, Saudi Arabia leveraged counterterrorism financing authorities to sanction 14 individuals and two entities for acting on behalf of or providing financial support to Hizballah.

Despite serious and effective efforts to counter the funding of terrorism originating within the Kingdom, some individuals and entities in Saudi Arabia continued to serve as sources of financial support for Sunni-based extremist groups, particularly regional al-Qa'ida affiliates such as the Nusrah Front. While the Kingdom has tightened banking and charity regulations, and stiffened penalties for financing terrorism, funds are allegedly collected in secret and illicitly transferred out of the country in cash, often via pilgrims performing Hajj and Umrah. In recent years the government has responded, and in 2015 it increased policing to counter this smuggling. Recent regional turmoil and a sophisticated use of social media have facilitated charities outside of Saudi Arabia with ties to violent extremists to solicit donations from Saudi donors.

For additional information on money laundering and financial crimes, see the 2016 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INSCR), Volume II, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.

Countering Violent Extremism: As part of the Kingdom's strategy to counter violent extremism, the government focused on increasing public awareness campaigns and conducting outreach, counter-radicalization, and rehabilitation programs. Some of these efforts involved seminars that refuted violent Islamist extremist interpretation and ideology. Public awareness campaigns were aimed at reinforcing the values of the state's Wahhabi interpretation of the Islamic faith and educating Saudi citizens about the dangers of violent extremism. Methods used included advertisements and programs on television, in schools and mosques, and at sporting events. The Saudi government expanded these programs to address the rising threat to youth from recruitment efforts from groups like ISIL and to dissuade its citizens from engaging as foreign terrorist fighters in Syria and Iraq.

The MOI continued to operate its de-radicalization program (the Sakina Campaign for Dialogue), as well as its extensive rehabilitation program at the Mohammed bin Naif Counseling and Care Center.

The Department of State has long engaged the Saudi government about its educational system. During 2015, the Saudi government continued its ongoing program to modernize the educational curriculum, including textbooks, although this has not been completely implemented and some textbooks containing derogatory and intolerant references to Shia and non-Muslims remained in circulation.

The Ministry of Islamic Affairs continued to train and regulate imams, prohibiting them from incitement of violence, and continued to monitor mosques and religious education. Some privately-funded satellite television stations in the Kingdom continued to espouse sectarian hatred and intolerance.

International and Regional Cooperation: Saudi Arabia cooperated regionally and internationally on counterterrorism issues, including through its participation in the Global Counterterrorism Forum (GCTF). Saudi Arabia is also a member of the GCC. Saudi officials issued statements encouraging enhanced cooperation among GCC and Arab League states on counterterrorism issues, and the government hosted international counterterrorism conferences on subjects including, but not limited to, countering violent extremist ideology and countering terrorism financing.

Throughout the year, Saudi security professionals participated in joint programs around the world, including in Europe and the United States. The Saudi government participated in a U.S.-GCC Camp David summit, where it reaffirmed its commitment to countering terrorism. In addition to Saudi Arabia's bilateral cooperation with the United States, Saudi officials also worked with other international counterparts to conduct counterterrorism operations and exchange information. The growing threat from ISIL to both Saudi Arabia and other GCC member states encouraged greater dialogue about information sharing, coordination of counterterrorism efforts, and the importance of strategic cooperation against terrorist groups seeking influence in the region. In August, the Saudi government hosted the U.S.-GCC Counterterrorism and Border Security Working Group. Following deadly mosque attacks in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, the Saudis committed to greater collaboration with GCC neighbors in an effort to better counter the shared regional terrorist threat.

On December 14, Deputy Crown Prince and Minister of Defense Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the formation of a 34-nation Islamic military coalition to fight terrorism and counter violent extremism. The joint statement from coalition members referred to the UN and Organization of the Islamic Conference charter to justify the coalition's formation. The coalition will be led by Saudi Arabia and headquartered in Riyadh. The coalition members' roles and responsibilities were not announced in 2015.