The Saudi Arabian government recently announced the capture of suspected al Qaeda members, while simultaneously publicizing its release of Saudi citizens who fought in Afghanistan. Egyptian intelligence about al Qaeda's presence in Saudi Arabia is forcing the kingdom to act publicly to appease Washington. However, it must balance this with contrasting announcements at home -- or risk domestic opposition boiling over.
Analysis
London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al Hayat reported June 17 that 160 Saudi citizens who were arrested in January after returning home from Afghanistan have been released. According to Saudi security sources, the men had carried out military operations in Afghanistan against U.S. and Northern Alliance forces. Nevertheless, they were judged not to have engaged in "any activity threatening to the security of Saudi Arabia or other countries," the paper reported.
Only one day later, Saudi officials announced that they had arrested seven suspected members of al Qaeda several months ago. The group, consisting of six Saudis and a Sudanese, were accused of planning to attack "key installations" -- including the Prince Sultan air base used by U.S. troops -- with explosives and surface-to-air missiles, Agence France-Presse reported. Discarded firing tubes from missiles have been found near U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia.
Analysis
London-based Arabic-language newspaper Al Hayat reported June 17 that 160 Saudi citizens who were arrested in January after returning home from Afghanistan have been released. According to Saudi security sources, the men had carried out military operations in Afghanistan against U.S. and Northern Alliance forces. Nevertheless, they were judged not to have engaged in "any activity threatening to the security of Saudi Arabia or other countries," the paper reported.
Only one day later, Saudi officials announced that they had arrested seven suspected members of al Qaeda several months ago. The group, consisting of six Saudis and a Sudanese, were accused of planning to attack "key installations" -- including the Prince Sultan air base used by U.S. troops -- with explosives and surface-to-air missiles, Agence France-Presse reported. Discarded firing tubes from missiles have been found near U.S. bases in Saudi Arabia.