The Saudi Interior Ministry announced on Tuesday that information from multiple surveillance operations had led to the early detection of terrorist activities at an advanced stage of preparation in several parts of the kingdom. It said security authorities had arrested 93 people, including a woman, and foiled their plans before they could carry them out.
The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) quoted the ministry’s security spokesman as saying that authorities continually monitored the activities of the “deviant group,” whose strategic goal remained to undermine the country’s security and that of its citizens and residents through criminal plots.
The spokesman said multiple surveillance operations had provided evidence enabling the early detection of terrorist activities by members of the group in several regions. Follow-up confirmed that preparations were advanced. At different times, security authorities arrested 93 people, including a woman, and thwarted the following plots before they could be implemented.
First
On 9/3/1436 AH, a terrorist cell calling itself “Jund Bilad Al-Haramain,” affiliated with the terrorist organization ISIS abroad, was arrested. It comprised 15 Saudi nationals, led by a specialist in making explosive devices. Other members coordinated cell activities or handled financial and security matters, while one was assigned religious duties and issuing rulings for the group.
The cell initially met in open areas outside the Qassim region, then moved to a rented retreat selected for its secure location. There they received various kinds of training, including making pipe bombs that they tested in live explosions. One test took place in a pit inside the retreat and another on a car in a desert area to assess the device’s power. They also practiced shooting at several locations away from residential areas in preparation for attacks on security headquarters and residential compounds and the assassination of military personnel from different sectors.
Investigators seized and secured the car used in the test. Examination of samples from the vehicle and the pit at the retreat revealed traces of an explosion. Authorities also seized chemicals used to prepare explosives, laboratory and electrical tools for mixing and preparing the materials, preparation leaflets, computers, phones, and books by advocates of extremist takfiri ideology.
Second
On 11/4/1436 AH, a Saudi citizen was arrested in Qassim. Surveillance showed he was in contact with ISIS members abroad to arrange the formation of a terrorist cell and benefit from their explosives expertise. After mastering the theoretical aspects, he moved to practical work, prepared materials, and made pipe bombs. He conducted five live tests in different locations, including one on a vehicle shell in an open area. Further tests followed, and he was arrested while conducting one of them. He admitted pledging allegiance to the man known as Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi and planning, after preparing the explosive devices, to assassinate security personnel whose homes and routes he had identified and monitored.
He also admitted using social media to distribute explanations of explosives manufacture and to incite and promote terrorist acts through the accounts ABOS ALEH-15@, abib 2007@, abib 2015@, abib 2001@, abib 2008@, and abib 2009@.
Third
On 17/5/1436 AH, a coordinated security operation in several regions arrested members of a 65-person terrorist organization. All were Saudi nationals except two identity-card holders, one Palestinian, and one Yemeni. Linked to ISIS abroad, they planned attacks on residential compounds, operations to provoke sectarian strife similar to the Al-Dalwah incident, attacks on security personnel, and assaults on General Investigations prisons. They undertook the following activities:
- Attracting and recruiting young people, particularly minors.
- Spreading ISIS ideology, focusing on religious gatherings and forums to influence young attendees, and distributing propaganda about the organization through social media groups.
- Providing hideouts for wanted individuals, establishing training sites inside the kingdom for recruits, and coordinating travel for those seeking to enter conflict zones.
- Collecting money to finance their activities. Authorities seized 56,000 Saudi riyals and $1,700 in their possession.
Fourth
The authorities observed intensive activity by social media accounts named “Al-Mujahid Al-Hudhali 2014,” “Abu Qatada Al-Ansari,” “Dr. Classic,” “Abnaa Al-Jazira,” “Naji Al-Harbi,” “Tayyar Al-Siyasa,” “Muwahhid 9,” “Khalid,” and “Umm Atika.” Their owners promoted terrorist organizations and enticed minors to enter conflict zones. One photographed his son, aged no more than nine, while showing him a video of a bloody terrorist operation, then posted the image on social media, boasting about the act. The accounts also attacked Saudi religious scholars and declared them unbelievers in an effort to isolate young people intellectually and influence their view of scholars. They issued persistent, serious threats to bomb government offices and residential compounds, provoke sectarian strife, and target security officers by posting their photographs and names and inciting attacks against them.
Security authorities identified and arrested the account holders: nine Saudi citizens, including a woman whom they had used in an unsuccessful attempt to lure and assassinate a military serviceman.
Fifth
On 22/5/1436 AH, information indicated a possible suicide attack against the United States embassy in Riyadh using an explosives-laden vehicle. Three people were reportedly coordinating the threat: one Saudi national and two Syrian nationals residing in a Gulf country. Information suggested one of the Syrians had entered the kingdom.
Security precautions at the intended target and throughout the surrounding area were increased to match the threat. Authorities simultaneously undertook intensive efforts to trace those identified. On 23/5/1436 AH, they arrested two people suspected of being connected to the threat. One was a Syrian national who had arrived in the kingdom on 20/5/1436 AH. He said he intended to travel from Riyadh to Medina and that, before his arrival, his brother had asked him to call upon reaching Medina for a matter he claimed had not been explained. The second was a Saudi national living in Medina who was involved in illegal fundraising. He admitted a connection through that activity to a Syrian national outside the kingdom. The information he provided showed that this person was the first suspect’s brother. Investigations remained ongoing to establish all the facts.
Sixth
On 29/6/1436 AH, a Saudi citizen with a criminal history was arrested in Al-Baha. Recent changes in his behavior suggested extremist influence, and his movements raised security concerns. He was stopped while driving nervously. A vehicle search found iron and plastic pipe elbows, metal pieces, a firearm sight, a battery connected to external electrical wires, two aluminum pieces, a mobile phone battery, and a suction tube with a black, numbered handle. These discoveries heightened suspicion and prompted a search of his home, where similar items were found: an electric detonator, copper wires, firearms and ammunition, a silencer, a weapon sight, a replica pistol, welding equipment and a welding tool, a handheld electronic scale, batteries of different shapes, optical sights, and several mobile phones and SIM cards.
Preliminary investigations indicated that he had been influenced by ISIS after following its releases on social media. He admitted making two firearms with materials similar to those found in his possession.
The Interior Ministry said it was announcing these incidents to inform citizens and residents about plans by adherents of deviant ideology to target the country and its approach founded on the Book of God and the Sunnah of His Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, in the service of terrorist organizations abroad. It stressed that, after God’s help, cooperation from citizens and residents was the best guarantee of thwarting such plots. Security forces would act firmly and decisively against anyone seeking to undermine the country’s security and stability.