JEDDAH: Two Daesh terrorists were shot dead and another blew himself up in three separate raids by Saudi security forces in the national capital, the Presidency of State Security said Thursday.
In a statement, the agency said five other militants were also captured and that the Daesh cell had been dismantled during the simultaneous raids on three suspected terror hideouts in preemptive operations that aimed to prevent Daesh-linked plots.
The first, in Al-Rimal neighborhood in city's north, contained a factory for making suicide belts and explosive devices. One terror suspect at the site refused to surrender to security forces and blew himself up.
The second location was an apartment in the Namar neighborhood, where an armed terrorist refused to surrender to security forces, firing shots at them, and was eventually killed. No civilian casualties were reported at the site.
The third location was a stable for horses in the Al-Hair district south of Riyadh, which was thought to be used by terrorists for meetings and criminal activities. Five suspected terrorists from this cell were captured, but their identities were not released for security reasons. Two Kalashnikov assault rifles, ammunition, chemical materials used for the preparation of explosives, and other objects were seized.
Forensic evidence teams have started investigations at the three sites.
3 Daesh terrorists killed, 5 captured in Riyadh raids
3 Daesh terrorists killed, 5 captured in Riyadh raids
Saudi border security foil attempt to smuggle thousands of captagon pills from Yemen
- Col. Osama Al-Assad, commander of the battalion, said the seizure was made during routine inspection procedures at the land crossing
- Security personnel grew suspicious of an incoming vehicle and, after a thorough search, discovered the pills
RIYADH: The “Al-Wadiah Port Security and Protection Battalion” thwarted an attempt to smuggle 4,925 Captagon pills bound for Saudi Arabia from areas under Houthi control in Yemen.
Col. Osama Al-Assad, commander of the battalion, said the seizure was made during routine inspection procedures at the land crossing.
Security personnel grew suspicious of an incoming vehicle and, after a thorough search, discovered the pills professionally concealed in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Assad said the confiscated drugs were documented in line with legal procedures and the suspects were referred to the competent authorities for further investigation.
He stressed that coordination with the Saudi side remains strong and ongoing at the highest levels, expressing appreciation to the Kingdom for its continued support to Yemen in general and to the battalion in particular, helping bolster border security between the two neighbors.
In a recent interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Assad revealed that most drug smuggling networks operating from Yemen into Saudi territory are directly linked to the Houthi militants.
He noted that the battalion had previously arrested a Houthi leader attempting to enter Saudi Arabia using a forged passport and Umrah visa, suggesting the motives were security-related rather than religious.
Regarding the latest operation, Al-Assad said preliminary investigations indicate that most drug shipments intercepted at the crossing originate from Houthi-controlled areas.
He accused the group of relying on drug trafficking as a source of funding for its activities, posing a threat to Yemen’s national security, neighboring countries, and regional stability.
The battalion’s mission includes securing and protecting the Al-Wadiah crossing, combating various forms of smuggling, including drugs, human trafficking, forged documents, and unidentified individuals, and arresting wanted suspects, including members of al-Qaeda and fugitives evading court rulings.
