Saudi security forces have traded fire with suspected terrorists hiding in a residential building in the Al-Jamea neighborhood in the Red Sea city of Jeddah after chasing them through the city, Interior Ministry spokesman Gen. Mansur al-Turki said. It is not yet clear if the suspects were members of al-Qaeda.
The gunmen opened fire on police from the building and security forces responded by surrounding the building - after residents were evacuated - in an attempt to capture them alive. It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties, but seven of the suspects were taken into custody.
Saudi Arabia has been battling suspected al-Qaeda terrorists who have carried out a series of bombings and shootings, many targeting Westerners, for more than three years. On June 7, King Abdullah declared that al-Qaeda had been defeated in Saudi Arabia. At the time, analysts agreed, saying tough Saudi security policies backed by Western intelligence agencies have rendered the group impotent. Since May 2003, hundreds of suspects have been arrested and at least 136 terrorists have been killed.
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