Dozens Arrested in Saudi Arabia on Suspicion of Plotting Series of Attacks

Saudi Arabia has announced the arrest of 93 individuals, including those linked to the Islamic State group, who intended to carry out a series of attacks, including on the U.S. Embassy in Riyadh. In a statement published by the Saudi Ministry of Interior on April 27, a spokesperson said that authorities had thwarted a plot by a militia group, which included at least two Syrian citizens and one Saudi citizen, to attack the U.S. Embassy in mid-March (about a month and a half ago). The Saudi citizen, described in the statement as having a 'criminal record,' was arrested on April 18 (10 days ago) after security forces found items in his vehicle, such as several batteries, multiple mobile phone chargers, and other electronic equipment. Two other suspects were arrested around the same time in mid-March. General Mansour al-Turki, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Interior, told the Associated Press that five of the detainees were connected to the group known as the 'Islamic State.' More than 60 of the arrested individuals in recent weeks, according to officials in the country, are Saudi citizens. They intended to carry out a series of attacks on residential areas, security forces, and prisons. General Turki also stated that five individuals linked to the 'Islamic State' had been arrested, who were responsible for recent attacks that killed 15 civilians and security personnel. ABC News reports that U.S. intelligence officials have confirmed the arrests. In mid-March, embassies and foreign missions in Dhahran and Jeddah were temporarily closed and were under heavy police control. Saudi Arabia is a member of a U.S.-led coalition conducting operations against Islamists in Syria and Iraq.