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Soddies looking out for returning Iraqi jihadis
Saudi security forces, having dealt a blow to Al Qaeda inside the kingdom, are on guard for the return of Saudi militants from their "jihad" against US troops in neighbouring Iraq.
Two years after the outbreak of a bloody wave of attacks, Saudi authorities say they have broken the back of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, whose last strike now dates back to December. According to official figures, 90 civilians, 41 security personnel and 110 militants have died in a spate of deadly attacks in Saudi Arabia, many targeting Westerners, since May 2003. "I would say we have accomplished the mission by either killing or capturing them," Turki said in an interview with AFP. But "we cannot say we have reached the situation where we can ensure that no terrorist crime could be implemented in the kingdom. We are not saying that," he cautioned.
From a list of 26 most wanted militants published in December 2003, only three remain at large, including Saleh Al Oufi, an ideologue of the movement who reports at the time had said was killed in the Al Rass clash. "He is still alive and he is still wanted," said the interior ministry spokesman. A diplomat posted in Riyadh said that behind the official statements on a job well done, the Al Qaeda threat still posed a real threat. "I don't think they are naive enough to believe Al Qaeda is finished," he said. The next generation is waiting in the wings. "Whatever the outcome in Iraq, those people will come back one day," said the diplomat. Posted by: Dan Darling 2005-06-01 |
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