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Troops storm hostage site
30/05/2004 07:32 - (SA)
Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia - Helicopter-borne troops stormed a residential building where suspected Al-Qaeda extremists were holding hostages early on Sunday after carrying out spectacular twin attacks which left at least 10 people dead in this Saudi oil city.
An AFP correspondent heard sporadic shooting from inside a six-storey apartment block after helicopters landed some 40 troops on the roof amid loud gunfire from automatic weapons just before 05:30.
Shots had been heard throughout the night, including an intense volley three hours earlier.
However the area was quiet again by about 07:00, the correspondent said.
Al-Arabiya television reported the operation was over and the leader of the militants captured, but there was no official confirmation.
Saudi security forces were keeping reporters outside the sprawling Oasis residential compound where militants holed up after a shooting spree against two oil facilities.
The Saudi ambassador in Washington said seven US hostages had been rescued by Saudi forces.
"Two are wounded and five are all right," Prince Bandar bin Sultan said.
Special security forces and army troops lay siege to at least four gunmen after they went on a rampage in Al-Khobar in the oil-rich Eastern Province on Saturday.
Crown Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz said on Saturday evening that around 10 Saudis and foreigners were killed in the attacks, the latest in a wave of such incidents to hit Saudi Arabia over the past year, leaving some 65 people dead and hundreds injured.
The violence has been blamed on presumed sympathisers of the al-Qaeda network, and a statement purported to be from the group claimed responsibility for the Al-Khobar carnage, although its authenticity could not be confirmed.
Eight hostages released on Saturday night were quoted by a private security guard as saying that 50 to 54 people were left behind, but it was not clear if that was still the number of captives early on Sunday.
Will keep to commitment
Some 60 residents had been evacuated from the sprawling walled compound in armoured vehicles and ambulances to a hotel.
The suspected Islamist assailants also attacked the building of the Arab Petroleum Investment Corp (Apicorp) and a "Petroleum Centre" where oil firms have offices.
It was the second time in less than a month that presumed followers of Saudi-born Osama bin Laden had struck at oil-linked installations in assaults simultaneously targeting Westerners.
Prince Bandar vowed that the Al-Khobar attack would not deter Saudi Arabia, the world's top crude exporter, from keeping its promise to increase oil production, a message intended to reassure oil markets where prices are hovering near $40 a barrel.
"Saudi Arabia has made a commitment to the world and to our friends in America, and we will keep it regardless of those who object to it, particularly those terrorists," he said.
- AFP
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