Battle Raging In Saudi Arabia

Update: Since confirmed here.

RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi security forces killed three suspected militants holed up in a house in northern Saudi Arabia on Sunday, state television said.

Al-Ikhbariyah television quoted local governor Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Abdul-Aziz as saying another two wanted men were wounded in fierce fighting around the house in the town of al-Ras, 180 miles northwest of Riyadh.

"They were asked to surrender, but those people are known not to listen," Prince Faisal told the television station. He described the gunmen as "terrorists," but did not say which organization they belonged to.

A security source earlier said one security officer was killed and medical sources said at least 20 others were wounded in the siege, which began early on Sunday morning and dragged on into the night. An Interior Ministry official said he was not aware of fatalities or serious injuries among security forces.

This is presently an unconfirmed report from a news service with terrorist sympathies.

Numerous unconfirmed reports are coming in from Saudi Arabia that a fierce battle is currently underway in the town of Al-Rass near Buraidah Aunazah. The battle, which began this morning, is said to be still ongoing and that Saudi Arabian (Sulul) security forces are said to be using poison gas in an attempt to flush out the Mujahideen that are waging a fierce battle (may Allah protect them). At one point in the combat, the Mujahideen fired at a Sulul helicopter that was flying overhead, forcing it to increase altitude.

Medical sources say that so far at least 22 Sulul security agents have been have been admitted to the Al-Rass main hospital, some with serious injuries.

At the time of this filing, shots are still being fired and thick smoke is rising over the Al-Jawazat quarter of Al-Rass.

Saleh al-Aoofi, the leader of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula is said in that area directing the battle however other reports indicate he may be among the casualties. One Saudi vehicle is still burning and a house has been completely demolished The latest information indicates that a large security reinforcement detachment has arrived from Anizah and that the entire town is now completely surrounded by Saudi Sulul forces.

Also posted at Blogger News.

Comments

[Buckley F. Williams]

The Saudi's have been playing both sides for a long time and now it seems to be time to buck up. It will be interesting to see how this plays out.