Riyadh- The Saudi security succeeded to thwart an ISIS terrorist network consisting of three cluster cells linked to an information mediator in Syria.
Uncovering the network has foiled a terrorist plan targeting citizens, scholars, security men and security, military and economic facilities in different Saudi locations.
The Saudi Interior Ministry said the terrorist cell has been active in the preparation and processing of explosive belts and explosive devices to be used in their criminal operations.
It said Riyadh arrested 17 members of the cell: 14 Saudis including a woman, in addition to one Yemeni, one Egyptian and one Palestinian.
Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Bassem Attia said on Monday that Khouloud Al-Kurbi was encouraging her two sons, Nassar and Hamad Almosa to conduct terrorist operations in Saudi Arabia. Al-Kurbi was also coordinating with her brother Nasser al-Kurbi and helping him transfer explosive belts to the country.
The Interior Ministry spokesman said that the competent security authorities were capable to follow-up terrorist threats targeting the security of the Kingdom by launching a security operation that lasted for several months and led to the thwarting of a terrorist network linked to ISIS.
General Attia asserted that the cell had transferred 55 tons of explosives to Saudi Arabia and had used 7 tons of them. He said such an amount could create an earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale.
The terrorist cell planned to use the explosive devices in their criminal operations, and to provide terrorist members with logistical support, money, weapons and means of transport inside the Kingdom.
The terrorist cell was also tasked to monitor targeted sites, provide electronic and media support for ISIS, and update the organization’s leaders abroad with all their activities.
According to Attia, the Saudi security apparatus were capable to foil four terrorist operations while in their final stages.
He said Saudi Arabia thwart an operation that was targeting one of the employees of the Ministry of Defense in Riyadh after monitoring and processing of explosive device to be attached to his car.
It also foiled an operation that was targeting training students in public security.
A third operation that security members prevented was the delivery of two suicide vests and a raid on a terrorist den in Quwaiya province before confiscating their explosive materials.
Attia said security apparatus also foiled a suicide attack on religious sites in Ahsa province, and on military sites belonging to the Ministry of the National Guard.
Meanwhile, Interior Ministry spokesperson Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki said during this year, Saudi Arabia was the target of 19 terrorist operations, but that the majority of these attacks were foiled before being executed.