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Saudi Policeman Shot Dead in Makkah | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Members of Saudi security forces stand guard in Jazan. Reuters


Gunmen shot and killed a Saudi policeman in the Makkah region, Saudi state news agency SPA reported on Friday, after four terrorists died during a raid in the same area.

Corporal Khalaf al-Harithi was shot at 9:30 pm Thursday while on duty at Al-Qaree Police station outside the holy city of Makkah, SPA reported, citing a local police spokesman.

In a statement to SPA, the spokesman said the security agencies have launched a criminal investigation, adding the incident is still under security follow-up.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but ISIS has previously staged such attacks on security forces.

On Thursday morning, Saudi security forces shot dead two ISIS fighters and two other militants blew themselves up near Makkah.

The Interior Ministry said the raid was carried out to halt an imminent attack, adding no security personnel or civilians were wounded.

Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter, has been hit by a spate of deadly shootings and bombings. ISIS’s local branches have claimed many of them.