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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Saudi police arrest 208 militants | Saudi police arrest 208 militants |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Saudi Arabia has arrested 208 suspected militants accused of planning a series of attacks, including one targeting a state oil installation. | Saudi Arabia has arrested 208 suspected militants accused of planning a series of attacks, including one targeting a state oil installation. |
| Interior Ministry Spokesman Gen Mansour al-Turki said the plot was against an oil facility in the east. | |
| Gen Turki said the suspected militants had been arrested over the past few months in various parts of the country. | Gen Turki said the suspected militants had been arrested over the past few months in various parts of the country. |
| Saudi Arabia has been battling Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda since a wave of bombings and shootings in 2003. | Saudi Arabia has been battling Islamist militants linked to al-Qaeda since a wave of bombings and shootings in 2003. |
| Nearly 300 security personnel, civilians and militants have been killed since then. | Nearly 300 security personnel, civilians and militants have been killed since then. |
| 'Missile expert' | 'Missile expert' |
| A report by the Saudi TV news channel, al-Ikhbariya, which cited a statement by the interior ministry, said a cell of eight militants led by a foreigner had planned an attack on an oil facility in an eastern province of the world's largest oil exporter. | A report by the Saudi TV news channel, al-Ikhbariya, which cited a statement by the interior ministry, said a cell of eight militants led by a foreigner had planned an attack on an oil facility in an eastern province of the world's largest oil exporter. |
| The oil facility was described as a support facility, not a refinery, and the alleged attack was said to be imminent. | |
| The statement said a further 18 of those arrested belonged to a cell led by an "expert in launching missiles" which had infiltrated the country, al-Ikhbariya reported. | The statement said a further 18 of those arrested belonged to a cell led by an "expert in launching missiles" which had infiltrated the country, al-Ikhbariya reported. |
| "They were planning to smuggle eight missiles into the kingdom to carry out terrorist operations," the interior ministry said. | |
| Another 22 suspects were part of a group that were plotting to assassinate Saudi clerics and security personnel, the report added. | |
| A "media cell" of 16 people, which aimed to promote "takfiri" ideology, was arrested in Medina, according to the report. | A "media cell" of 16 people, which aimed to promote "takfiri" ideology, was arrested in Medina, according to the report. |
| Takfiris believe contemporary Muslim society has reverted to a state of unbelief (kufr) and thus consider legitimate both rebellion against the state and acts of violence against Muslim citizens. | Takfiris believe contemporary Muslim society has reverted to a state of unbelief (kufr) and thus consider legitimate both rebellion against the state and acts of violence against Muslim citizens. |
| In April, the Saudi authorities announced the capture of 170 suspects, some of whom they said had been training as pilots for suicide missions. | In April, the Saudi authorities announced the capture of 170 suspects, some of whom they said had been training as pilots for suicide missions. |