Saudis arrest 93 Daesh suspects, foil attacks

US EMBASSY, RESIDENTIAL COMPOUNDS , PRISONS AMONG TARGETS

Saudi Arabia said yesterday it has arrested 93 people with ties to Daesh group in recent months, foiling their plans to carry out terrorist attacks, including a strike on the US Embassy here.

Interior Ministry spokesman Major General Mansour Al Turki said the arrests include a cell of 65 people busted in March who were involved in a plan that included targeting residential compounds, prisons and security forces.

Authorities also disrupted a plot for a suicide car bomber to attack the US Embassy in Riyadh after receiving information about the plan in mid March, he said.

The timing of the alleged suicide attack matches with a decision by US officials to halt all consular services starting March 15 at the embassy and diplomatic missions in Jeddah and Dhahran over security fears.

The missions resumed those services a week later, though the embassy urged Americans in the kingdom to take extra precautions when travelling throughout the country.

Other arrests involving alleged Daesh operatives included a cell of 15 Saudis broken up around New Year that was led by an explosives expert. That group trained in building explosives, setting off two test bombs, and also engaged in firearms training, Al Turki said.

Earlier in the day, Al Turki said police arrested a suspected Daesh operative wanted for the killing of two police officers in Riyadh earlier this month.

Nawaf Al Anzi, a 29-yearold Saudi citizen, was taken into custody early yesterday after callers tipped the police off, he said. Al Anzi was found in a hideout about 100km east of Riyadh and was wounded by police gunfire during the arrest.

The Interior Ministry last week announced a $267,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

He is one of two Saudi men police say operated under orders from members of the Daesh in Syria in the shooting of the police officers. The other suspect is already under arrest.

Police also arrested a suspected Daesh operative, who carried a reward of $267,000 on his head, wanted for the killing of two police officers in Riyadh earlier this month