Saudi security forces recently managed to dismantle a terrorist cell linked to the Al-Qaeda organisation, which included 11 Saudis. The cell was planning to launch terrorist attacks and kidnappings in the Kingdom.

The Saudi Interior Ministry stated that cell members had been hiding in a mountain cave in a southern part of the Kingdom near the Yemeni border. The Ministry's statement indicated that security forces arrested the cell members and discovered that they had contacts with what they referred to as “misguided elements” living abroad, a reference to Al-Qaeda.

The Ministry revealed that the cell had been planning to carry out operations including attacks on security forces, kidnappings, and armed robberies to obtain money that would allow them implement their criminal operations.

The cell had established a hideout in the country's south, stockpiling food, weapons, photographic equipment, and other miscellaneous equipment. Saudi security forces seized the weapons cache and began interrogating cell members immediately after they were arrested.

Saudi state television showed footage of large quantities of sophisticated weapons found in the possession of cell members including machine guns, ammunition, explosive materials, explosive belts and bullets of various calibres.

Saudi authorities have recently intensified their pursuit of those they describe as "misguided elements" and have carried out several raids, resulting in dozens of arrests. At the beginning of this year, they published a list of names and photos of 85 people, 83 of whom are Saudis, wanted by its agencies in all parts of the world for adopting "misguided ideology".

Since May 2003, the Kingdom has witnessed numerous terrorists attacks carried out by extremists linked to the Al-Qaeda organization that have resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people.

Sources: Saudi News Agency - Saudi TV