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Saudi troops head to Mecca
EFL:Saudi security officials are deploying thousands of troops to the city of Mecca because of concerns that terrorists may be planning new attacks during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, government sources told CNN. Theyâre worried. Good. Seventeen people, including five children, were killed and 122 people were wounded in Saturdayâs suicide car bombing in a mostly Arab neighborhood in Riyadh, the Saudi Press Agency said. Officials expect the toll to rise as rescuers continue searching the rubble for any other victims. The Saudis blamed al Qaeda for the attack and pledged to track down those responsible. "We will get the perpetrators no matter how long it takes," Interior Minister Prince Nayef told Saudi state television as he inspected the devastated compound. "All those who are propelled to do these acts must stop or surrender because it would be better for them and their salvation. There is no crime more heinous than this." "Why canât they stick to killing infidels?" Expecting another terrorist attack at any time, Saudi security officials have ordered 4,600 troops to Mecca for the remaining three weeks of Ramadan. Hope they are "trustworthy". The car that exploded Saturday night left a crater in the center of the neighborhood, which was littered with rubble and burned-out vehicles. The attackers stormed the affluent neighborhood near Riyadhâs diplomatic quarter late Saturday, first firing on security guards and then driving their explosives-laden cars through the gates. Sources said the attackers apparently had stolen a jeep from Saudi security forces to disguise themselves. Saudi guards opened the gate upon seeing the jeep before the attackers opened fire, the sources said. Thatâll teach them. First you check IDs, then you open the gate. The attack came a day after the United States said it was shutting its embassy and consulates in Saudi Arabia, citing intelligence of an imminent terrorist attack. Westerners who work in Saudi Arabia are considering sending their families home because of the dangers there and moving their companies out of Saudi Arabia until it becomes safer, some Western businessmen told CNN. In addition to Saudi and Egyptian fatalities, a Sudanese and an Indian were also killed in Saturdayâs attack, the Saudi Press Agency said. The 122 wounded included Jordanians, Palestinians, Indians, Pakistanis, Sudanese, Ethiopians, Eritreans, Indonesians, Filipinos, Turks, Sri Lankans, and Romanians, the agency said. Officials, citizens, and journalists were shocked at the attack because it hit a target where most of the people are Arabs. This had to be deliberate, AQâs intel should be pretty good in Saudi land. Posted by: Steve 2003-11-10 |
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