Saudi Arabia: Fight with terrorism

Security forces killed three militants in a day-long gunbattle in northern &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/world/2003/01/08/41754.html ' target=_blank>Saudi Arabia yesterday, the country's satellite television said. Fifteen members of the security forces were wounded in the shootout which was continuing last night in the town of ar-Rass, 355km northwest of the capital Riyadh. Security forces had killed "three wanted &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2002/05/14/28660.html ' target=_blank>terrorists" and forced their colleagues to flee their hideout to a building under construction, publishes the Guardian Unlimited. Saudi Arabia has been battling a wave of violence by supporters of Osama bin Laden's &to=http:// english.pravda.ru/main/2002/08/28/35459.html ' target=_blank>al Qaeda network, who have targeted Westerners and security forces. A security source earlier said one security officer was killed and medical sources said at least 20 others were wounded in the siege, which began early on Sunday morning and dragged on into the night. An Interior Ministry official said he was not aware of fatalities or serious injuries among security forces. Witnesses also said they saw at least three people being carried away from the house on Sunday morning but it was not clear whether they were wounded or dead. An Interior Ministry source said the gunmen hurled grenades during the battle. Several security vehicles were damaged. Officials say at least 90 civilians and 39 members of the security forces have been killed in the last two years, and militant attacks have caused at least 1 billion riyals ($270 million) worth of damage. Police have killed more than 90 militants in the same period, reports Reuters. NR

Join Pravda.ru forum to experience freedom of speech