| The Soddies iced most of the 26 on the first list, then kicked over a rock and found 36 more "deviants" squirming away. |
Saudi analyst Faris ibn Houzam said that of those outside Saudi Arabia, most were likely to be in neighboring Iraq. âThe issue for the government is when those fighters in Iraq return to Saudi Arabia,â he told Arab News. This is the first time the government has issued a list of terrorists outside of the Kingdom, he said. âBy releasing the list, the ministry is giving an early warning on the men,â he added. âThe list also proved that terrorists in the Kingdom have been receiving outside support.â He also pointed out that many terrorists fled the Kingdom as a result of the governmentâs fierce campaign against the militants.
Saudi security consultant Nawaf Obaid said most of the Saudis â who made up 29 of the 36 names on the new list â were âsecond tierâ militants who had worked under more senior operatives, most of whom have been killed or captured. All but two men on a previous Saudi list of 26 wanted men, published in December 2003, are believed dead or in custody. The non-Saudis are wanted by Saudi Arabia but âalso represent a threat in their native countriesâ because they have gained access to money, logistics and training, Obaid said.
The ministry called on the wanted men to surrender, saying this would be âtaken into consideration when looking into their case.â The statement, which was carried by the Saudi Press Agency, said the families of the suspects as well as the countries of foreign suspects have been informed that the government is searching for them. âThrough information retrieved from those who had taken part in the terrorist attacks since May 12, 2003, it was able to reach valid information about other suspects involved,â the ministry said. The ministry warned citizens and residents against dealing with the suspects, adding that authorities would question anyone who dealt with them. âThe release of the new list offers a chance for anyone who had cooperated or dealt with these suspects in the past to approach security officers to explain their actions, a measure that would relieve them from later being questioned and from charges that could be leveled against them for taking part in terrorist acts,â it said.
The ministry has offered SR1 million to anyone who gives any information that leads to the capture of a wanted terror suspect on the list. SR5 million will be given to anyone who gives any information that leads to the capture of more than one suspect. SR7 million will be given to anyone who gives information that foils a plot to carry out a terrorist act.
See the full list here.