(Washington Post) Saudi commandos stormed a compound in Khobar where Islamic extremists had seized foreign oil workers, after the gunmen began executing the hostages Sunday, Saudi officials said. About 50 hostages were rescued, but one American and 21 other people were killed. Saudi officials said they captured the ringleader, who was among the 25 most wanted terrorism suspects in the kingdom. Three gunmen escaped after they commandeered a car and used some of the hostages as shields, according to a Saudi security official. A group allied with al-Qaeda asserted responsibility for the attack. Kidnappers "Cut Throats of Hostages" "Nine [hostages] had their throats cut by the kidnappers when they tried to escape," said Nijar Hijazin, a Jordanian computer engineer who had himself been taken hostage. (AFP/Sydney Morning Herald-Australia)
2004-05-31 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive