No problem... just a bunch of fun-loving al Qaeda members celebrating their homecoming. No big deal.
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Posted on 11/08/2003 2:07:39 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) - Three explosions rocked the Saudi capital Riyadh around midnight Saturday, and smoke could be seen rising from the area of the blast, diplomats said. The diplomats said there was one big explosion at about midnight, followed by two smaller ones 15 seconds apart. Police cars raced toward the direction of the blasts, which appeared to have happened in the western part of the city. An American Embassy spokeswoman confirmed the explosion, but said it was not in the diplomatic quarter. The extent of the damage was not immediately clear, and it wasn't known if there were any casualties. Almost all the foreign embassies in Riyadh - including the U.S. Embassy - and most diplomats' homes are inside the quarter, an isolated neighborhood whose entrances are guarded. But there are several residential compounds housing Western business people relatively near to the diplomatic quarter on the city's west side. A western diplomat said he got a call from a friend who reported seeing smoke rising from a building on the other side of the diplomatic quarter near an area where the palaces of the royal family's senior princes are located. The Al-Arabiya television network said an explosion shook a building in west Riyadh, but it did not give a source for its information or provide footage. American diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia were closed Saturday for an undetermined period amid warnings that a terror attack could be imminent in the tense Gulf kingdom.
No problem... just a bunch of fun-loving al Qaeda members celebrating their homecoming. No big deal.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman - PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT: "MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA" (PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT SNIPPET: "Credible information has indicated terrorist groups may be planning attacks against U.S. interests in the Middle East. Terrorist actions may include suicide operations, bombings, hijackings or kidnappings. These may also involve commercial aircraft and maritime interests. While conventional weapons such as explosive devices are a more immediate threat in many areas, use of non-conventional weapons, including chemical or biological agents must be considered a possible threat. Terrorists do not distinguish between official and civilian targets. Increased security at official U.S. facilities has led terrorists and their sympathizers to seek softer targets such as public transportation, residential areas, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, hotels, schools, outdoor recreation events, resorts and beaches.") (November 6, 2003) (Read More...)
YAHOO! News (AP): Middle East - AP: "2 MILITANTS BLOW THEMSELVES UP IN MECCA" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The legitimacy of Saudi rulers rests partly on their being custodians of holy Mecca, which is off-limits to non-Muslims. A strike on Mecca could be seen as a strike on the royal family. A new Interior Ministry statement late Wednesday said two al-Qaida suspects were killed and five arrested, including four Saudis and one Nigerian, in Monday's Mecca shootout. The ministry had said earlier six were arrested. The official Saudi Press Agency on Wednesday quoted an Interior Ministry official as saying authorities confiscated the following items from the militants: a box for storing explosives in a car trunk; dozens of hydrogen tanks; four automatic rifles; eight pistols; 1,246 bullets of various types; 21 grenades; three rocket-propelled grenade launchers; military fatigues and women's clothes, apparently intended for disguise.") (October 6, 2003) (Read More...)
An Interesting Discussion on FREEREPUBLIC.com regarding this article on SERBIANNA.com (BALKANALYSIS.com) - Views & Analysis: "AL QAEDA'S EUROPEAN ATTACK ROUTE IS THE BALKANS, NEW REPORT CLAIMS" by Christopher Deliso in Skopje (October 30, 2003) (Read More...)
On The Net...English.ALJAZEERA.net - NEWS - Arab World: "FULL TEXT OF THE MESSAGE Usama bin Ladin has issued a message to the American people, broadcast on Saturday on Aljazeera television. A full and exclusive translation follows:") (October 17, 2003)
On The Net...English.ALJAZEERA.net - NEWS - Arab World: "AL-QAIDA VOWS ANTI-US ATTACKS Al-Qaida Number Two Ayman al-Zawahri has called on Iraqis to "devour" their American occupiers") (September 10, 2003)
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE: "SAUDI ARABIA - TRAVEL WARNING" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "The U.S. Government continues to receive indications of terrorist threats aimed at American and Western interests, including the targeting of transportation and civil aviation. There is credible information that terrorists have targeted Western aviation interests in Saudi Arabia . American citizens in Saudi Arabia should remain vigilant, particularly in public places.") (October 27, 2003) (Read More...)
Maybe they are so badly hemmed in that they can only attack targets in the place where they live.
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