Saudi Arabia arrests more than 400 IS suspects, claims attacks thwarted
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 18 July 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Saudi Arabia arrests more than 400 IS suspects, claims attacks thwarted, 18 July 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/55b5f49329.html [accessed 31 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
July 18, 2015
Saudi authorities say they have arrested 431 people suspected of involvement with the Islamic State (IS) militant group and prevented attacks on mosques, security forces, and a diplomatic mission.
The Saudi interior ministry said on July 18 that authorities have dismantled "an organization made of a cluster of cells, which is linked to the terrorist Daesh (IS) organization."
IS militants have claimed responsibility for a July 16 car bombing at a checkpoint near Saudi Arabia's highest-security prison that killed the driver and wounded two security officials.
The kingdom's Interior Ministry said most of the arrested suspects are Saudi citizens.
"Six successive suicide operations which targeted mosques in the Eastern province on every Friday timed with assassinations of security men were thwarted," the ministry said.
"Terrorist plots to target a diplomatic mission, security, and government facilities in Sharurah province and the assassination of security men were thwarted," it added.
IS militants claimed responsibility for two suicide bombings at Shi'ite Muslim mosques in Saudi Arabia in May that killed 25 people.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
