Dammam, Asharq Al-Awsat- The recent security clashes in Dammam, which ended 6 September 2005, witnessed the deaths of four members of the Saudi security forces. These have been the first deaths from the security forces since terrorist operations began in May 2003. The Special Forces were originally reservist forces and are now based in Riyadh. These forces include a brigade for security and protection, which is one of the strongest in the Middle East.

The Special Forces have been successful in a number of operations, such as the rescuing of the hijacked Russian plane at Medina airport. The operation in Al-Khobar, last year, was another success for the forces in which members landed from a helicopter to free hostages. They were also part of the Al-Ras operation in which two Al-Qaeda operatives, Abdul Karim Al-Majati and Saud Al-Oteibi were killed. Another operation in the King Fahd district was also successful as it led to the death of Isa Al-Oshen and caused injuries to Al-Awfi who was then killed two weeks later in Medina.

The Special Forces were organized and prepared for conflicts such as that of Dammam, knowing that such confrontations may not end for a matter of days. Vehicles of the Special Forces, armored vehicles and other military vehicles were vividly present at the conflict area. Support continued to arrive from Riyadh until the final hours of the clashes in what was Saudi”s second longest operation after the Al-Ras conflict in the Qasim area, north of Riyadh.

It was reported that one of the member of the special security forces who died during the recent clashes in Dammam was Mohamed Ghazy Al-Moteiry. An officer was severely injured whilst other suffered only from slight injuries.