(Scotsman-UK) Margaret Neighbour - Saudi troops engaged in a fierce battle with suspected members of al-Qaeda in the northern town of Al-Ras. At least eight gunmen were killed in the fighting, which began on Sunday. Some 51 security personnel were wounded. Al-Ras is in the conservative Qassim province, the heartland of Saudi Arabia's Wahhabi doctrine which some critics say has fuelled intolerance and anti-Western violence. Saudi officials say at least 90 civilians and 39 members of the security forces have been killed in the past two years.
2005-04-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive