yellowking
12-29-2004, 01:37 PM
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,142846,00.html
Huge Explosion Rocks Saudi Capital
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A large explosion went off near the Interior Ministry in central Riyadh Wednesday night, an official said.
The sirens of ambulances and police cars were heard in the area after the explosion, which occurred around 8:35 p.m. local time. Smoke was seen rising from a traffic tunnel near the ministry, and three helicopters hovered. Police sealed off roads leading to the area.
The Dubai base Al-Arabiya network report that several people were injured and shooting was heard near the tunnel. The Al-Jazeera satellite television station reported it was a car bomb attack.
An official in the ministry told The Associated Press the explosion rocked the ministry building and shattered some of its windows. Fire was seen in the area, the official said, adding the cause of the explosion and the number of casualties were not known yet.
On Dec. 6 Saudi militants attacked the U.S. consulate in Jiddah (search), killing nine people.
The Saudi government has been cracking down on militants since a series of Al Qaeda-affiliated (search) attacks on residential compounds in May 2003. The attacks have killed several Westerners.
Many senior militants have been either killed or arrested in the campaign, including more than half of a list of 26 most-wanted terrorists.
Huge Explosion Rocks Saudi Capital
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — A large explosion went off near the Interior Ministry in central Riyadh Wednesday night, an official said.
The sirens of ambulances and police cars were heard in the area after the explosion, which occurred around 8:35 p.m. local time. Smoke was seen rising from a traffic tunnel near the ministry, and three helicopters hovered. Police sealed off roads leading to the area.
The Dubai base Al-Arabiya network report that several people were injured and shooting was heard near the tunnel. The Al-Jazeera satellite television station reported it was a car bomb attack.
An official in the ministry told The Associated Press the explosion rocked the ministry building and shattered some of its windows. Fire was seen in the area, the official said, adding the cause of the explosion and the number of casualties were not known yet.
On Dec. 6 Saudi militants attacked the U.S. consulate in Jiddah (search), killing nine people.
The Saudi government has been cracking down on militants since a series of Al Qaeda-affiliated (search) attacks on residential compounds in May 2003. The attacks have killed several Westerners.
Many senior militants have been either killed or arrested in the campaign, including more than half of a list of 26 most-wanted terrorists.