seruriermarshal
07-26-2004, 10:57 PM
Saudi Arabia Al-Qaida Cell Acknowledges Deaths of Three Members, Says Battle Was to Defend Leader's Wife
By Sarah El Deeb Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 26, 2004
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - A message purportedly from an al-Qaida cell in Saudi Arabia surfaced Monday with the acknowledgment that three of its militants were killed in a shootout last week with security forces.
In the statement, which was found on Islamic Web sites, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula gave its own account of the July 20 raid on a house in Riyadh, describing it as battle to defend the wife and family of their leader.
The house was believed to be the hideout of Saleh Mohammed al-Aoofi, the group's leader. Saudi security forces detained al-Aoofi's wife and three children after raiding the house and finding the head of slain American hostage Paul M. Johnson Jr.
The statement described a fierce battle with security forces, who blocked the house's exits with five cars that they set on fire.
The Interior Ministry said last week that two militants were killed and three were injured in the battle. Three security forces members were also injured.
The online statement acknowledged that Issa Saad Mohammed bin Oushan, who was on Saudi Arabia's most-wanted list, and Mujab Abu-Ras Al-Dossary were killed in the raid. It said one of the three injured, Mashaal bin al-Sheik Hamoud al-Faraj, later died from his wounds.
"Al-Aoofi insisted that the mujahedeen should go out and leave her (al-Aoofi's wife), after they nearly killed themselves in her defense, the mujahedeen decided to (pull out), and that happened with God's grace and no one of the brothers were hurt during it," the statement said.
Security forces seized weapons - including an anti-aircraft SAM-7 missile - explosives, chemicals, video cameras and cash from the al-Qaida house.
AP-ES-07-26-04 1956EDT
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From (http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBO1CE95XD.html)
By Sarah El Deeb Associated Press Writer
Published: Jul 26, 2004
CAIRO, Egypt (AP) - A message purportedly from an al-Qaida cell in Saudi Arabia surfaced Monday with the acknowledgment that three of its militants were killed in a shootout last week with security forces.
In the statement, which was found on Islamic Web sites, al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula gave its own account of the July 20 raid on a house in Riyadh, describing it as battle to defend the wife and family of their leader.
The house was believed to be the hideout of Saleh Mohammed al-Aoofi, the group's leader. Saudi security forces detained al-Aoofi's wife and three children after raiding the house and finding the head of slain American hostage Paul M. Johnson Jr.
The statement described a fierce battle with security forces, who blocked the house's exits with five cars that they set on fire.
The Interior Ministry said last week that two militants were killed and three were injured in the battle. Three security forces members were also injured.
The online statement acknowledged that Issa Saad Mohammed bin Oushan, who was on Saudi Arabia's most-wanted list, and Mujab Abu-Ras Al-Dossary were killed in the raid. It said one of the three injured, Mashaal bin al-Sheik Hamoud al-Faraj, later died from his wounds.
"Al-Aoofi insisted that the mujahedeen should go out and leave her (al-Aoofi's wife), after they nearly killed themselves in her defense, the mujahedeen decided to (pull out), and that happened with God's grace and no one of the brothers were hurt during it," the statement said.
Security forces seized weapons - including an anti-aircraft SAM-7 missile - explosives, chemicals, video cameras and cash from the al-Qaida house.
AP-ES-07-26-04 1956EDT
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From (http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBO1CE95XD.html)