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208 Nabbed in Saudi Terror Raids

Hundreds arrested, oil attack foiled

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 29, 2007 4:52 AM CST

(Newser) – Saudi Arabian security forces have arrested 208 suspected al-Qaeda militants reportedly plotting an attack on a major oil field, the BBC reports. Those busted included missile experts, assassination squads—and a 16-person "media cell" bent on promoting extremist ideology. The money men behind the militants were also nabbed.

Saudi police said the arrests have taken place over weeks but could only now be announced. Extremists obeying fellow Saudi Osama bin Laden's call to arms have plagued the country with violence for years. A previous sweep of terror suspects in April rounded up another 172 militants—some of whom had been training as pilots.

Saudi police stand guard Feb. 7, 2007, outside the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, as an unidentified Arab man wearing a red-and-white headscarf looks on. Police in Saudi Arabia have arrested 208... (Associated Press)

Police stop vehicles at a checkpoint near an oil refinery in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Saudi police said their arrests of terror suspects prevented an imminent attack on an oil facility. (AP Photo/Hasan... (Associated Press)

Saudi police show weapons seized in a terror raids. 208 militants have been arrested in another crackdown. (AP Photo/Al-Ekhbariah) (Associated Press)

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208 Nabbed in Saudi Terror Raids

Hundreds arrested, oil attack foiled

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