The Hindu : International : Top militants killed as Saudi shootout enters third day

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Wednesday, Apr 06, 2005

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International

Top militants killed as Saudi shootout enters third day

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, APRIL 5. The clash between Saudi security forces and militants has entered its third day, with a gun battle still continuing in the northern town of Al-Ras.

At least 10 militants are holed up in a building that is under construction, and are engaging security personnel. The confrontation is the longest which Saudi troops, who have been battling militants over the last two years, have encountered. It is estimated that nine militants have been killed in the fighting so far. Around 50 Saudi officers have been injured, though Saudi officials say that none of them have been killed.

The dead are reported to include two top fugitives — Abdulkarim al-Mejjati and Saud Homoud al-Oteibi. The two were on a list of 26 suspects that were on a wanted list prepared by the Saudi Government. Saudi officials claimed that Mejjati, a Moroccan, was linked to bombings in Casablanca in May 2003 and last year's Madrid train bombings. The gun battle began on Sunday morning when Saudi security forces raided a hideout of suspected militants.

Many of the suspects fled to a nearby building, from where they attacked the security forces with grenades, damaging several vehicles.

The province of Qassim, in which Al-Ras is located, is known to be religiously conservative.

AP reports:

The Interior Ministry spokesman, Brig. Mansour al-Turki, said, ``The siege continues. Those remaining holed up have so far refused to surrender, but we can wait them out. We are not in a hurry.''

Officials say 35 policemen have been injured during the fighting.

Brig. Al-Turki said the security forces did not intend to flush out the militants soon.

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