Bomb leaves bodies scattered
2004-04-21 14:34
Riyadh - A car bomb exploded outside the headquarters of the Saudi general security services in Riyadh on Wednesday killing and wounding many people, according to a correspondent.
The correspondent saw numerous dead and wounded as thick smoke poured from the front of the seven-storey building, which is part of the security headquarters in the capital's Al-Washm district.
The vehicle exploded at a protective barrier outside the HQ, shattering windows in the surrounding area.
Security forces sealed off the area as ambulances wailed.
Crown Prince Abdullah vowed on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia remained determined to confront "terror", following repeated clashes between security men and Islamic militants, and the discovery of five car bombs in the kingdom in the past week.
Saudi Arabia has been conducting a relentless struggle against Islamic fundamentalists linked to the al-Qaeda network.
Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for suicide bombings targeting residential compounds in the capital in May and November of last year which killed 52 people, including eight US citizens.
Last week, the United States ordered non-essential diplomats and US citizens to leave the kingdom following deadly clashes with Islamic militants and the discovery of two car bombs.
Saudi security forces discovered on Monday two cars laden with explosives which were apparently to be used in a terror attack in the capital, a security source said.
"The two car-bombs were to head for Riyadh for apparent use in attacks," the source said.
The discovery of the two vehicles, which were found in Arrumhiyah village 100km from Riyadh, brought to five the number of car-bombs seized in Saudi Arabia within the past week.
After the two cars were found, security forces, backed by helicopters, combed the region searching for armed men who managed to flee in a Jeep, residents of the area said.
An interior ministry official announced on Sunday the arrest of eight suspects linked to recent deadly clashes between militants and security forces and the booby-trapping of cars.
Security forces had also seized three vehicles packed with thousands of kilograms of explosives, including one they had been searching for since February, the official said.