http://www.arabnews.com/?page=1§ion=0&article=61662&d=6&m=4&y=2005
Wednesday, 6, April, 2005 (26, Safar, 1426)
Most Wanted Terrorists Killed
Khaled Al-Awadh, Arab News
An injured security man being taken to hospital. Another picture on
Page 5. (AN photos by Khaled Al-Awadh)
AL-RASS, 6 April 2005 - As many as 14 suspected terrorists, including
most wanted Al-Qaeda leaders, have been killed and five others have been
wounded in three days of fierce clashes, which ended here yesterday, the
Interior Ministry said.
Crown Prince Abdullah commended the bravery displayed by the security
forces in their fight against terror. "Our security men will remain a thorn in
the throat of every aggressor who tries to undermine the country's security and
stability," he said in a message to Interior Minister Prince Naif.
"Until the time of preparing this statement, 14 terrorists have been
killed and five others have been wounded and arrested," a ministry official
said, adding that one gunman had surrendered to police.
The official said the security forces had successfully completed their
mission in Al-Rass, 320 km northwest of Riyadh, where the clashes started on
Sunday. Only 14 security men were wounded and hospitalized, the official said.
Most of them, except two, sustained minor injuries, he said, adding that the
injuries sustained by the two were not life threatening.
Earlier, Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Mansour Al-Turki said security
forces were still combing the area after the end of the battle to evacuate
casualties and collect evidence. It was the longest and toughest battle with
the terrorists who used rocket-propelled grenades, hand grenades and machine
guns against security forces.
It was unclear whether Saleh Al-Oufi, commander of Al-Qaeda in the
Arabian Peninsula, was among the killed in the Al-Rass battle. However, some
sources said Saud Al-Otaibi, a Saudi, and Abdul Kareem Al-Majati, a Moroccan,
both on the most wanted list, were among the dead. One militant belonging to
the Onaiza cell surrendered to authorities, the sources said. The faces of
three dead terrorists were disfigured beyond recognition and their true
identity can be established only after DNA tests, a source said.
Security forces were cleansing the scene at the time of going to press
and the sound of helicopters disturbed the tranquility of Al-Rass city that was
awake for three nights. "Thank God the siege is over. It is a great moment to
see these terrorists vanishing from our sights," said Abdullah Al-Ruwais, a
resident of Al-Rass.
A huge crowd of Saudis and expatriates was present at the scene. "I am
just wondering why these people have come here and endanger their lives," said
one police officer who was seen driving the crowd away from the scene.
Four schools in the area remained closed for the second consecutive day.
Police successfully evacuated 94 girl students and 13 female teachers of the
25th elementary school in the area on the first day while the battle was raging.
"Security forces have now complete control of the location. There is no
resistance anymore," Turki said. The security forces stormed the last villa in
which militants were barricaded after the gunmen had been moving from house to
house.
Dubai-based Al-Arabiya television reported on Monday that Otaibi and
Majati had been killed in the battle. According to Saudi press reports, Majati
was one of the masterminds of the May 2003 Casablanca bombings and the March
2004 Madrid train blast.
Turki, however, could not confirm the reports about Otaibi and Majati.
"We cannot for the moment reveal the identities of those killed or arrested,"
Turki said. "According to some reports, these leaders... are among them, but we
need to confirm it," he added.
The Interior Ministry said on Monday that seven Al-Qaeda suspects were
killed and another was critically injured. "We want to take them alive but we
will surround them until their military capabilities have been exhausted and
try to avoid any losses among the security forces," Turki said.
The gunbattles began early Sunday when security forces deployed in
Al-Rass to track down a group of suspects who had taken refuge in a villa and
come under fire from automatic weapons. Turki had told state television that
the Al-Rass terrorists had stored "huge" amounts of ammunition and hand
grenades.
If the deaths of Otaibi and Majati are confirmed, only four of the most
wanted 26 terrorists remain on the run. The others have been either killed or
captured. "This is a monumental breakthrough for Saudi security forces," said
Saudi security consultant Nawaf Obaid. "Not just domestically - Majati was the
subject of a major manhunt across Europe," he added.
A campaign of bombings and shootings blamed on Al-Qaeda has killed 90
civilians in the Kingdom since May 2003, according to official figures.
Thirty-nine members of the security forces and 99 militants have also been
killed in the violence.
- With input from Munif Al-Safouki and Abdul Maqsood Mirza.
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