US citizens warned of attacks in Saudi

The US embassy in Saudi Arabia has warned its citizens of possible attacks on compounds housing Westerners, saying it has information at least one residential complex is under surveillance by militants.

Eighteen people, mostly Arabs, were killed in a Riyadh housing compound bombing last month.

The embassy said that in response to the information, it was restricting American employees and their dependants from  visiting housing compounds in the capital Riyadh at night.

“Confirmed information indicates that the Seder Village housing compound in Riyadh has been under active surveillance by terrorist elements,” the embassy said in a statement.

“Other Western compounds in the kingdom may also be targeted,” the statement added.

The US warning comes three days after Britain reminded its 30,000 nationals in Saudi Arabia that militants might be in the final phases of planning attacks in the kingdom.

“The Seder Village housing compound in Riyadh has been under active surveillance by terrorist elements”

US embassy in Saudi

Last month, two Saudi suicide bombers killed at least 18 people, mainly Arab expatriates, at a Riyadh housing compound. 

On 12 May, the triple suicide bombing of three other housing complexes killed at least 35 people, including Americans and
other foreigners. 

Saudi officials said last week they had foiled an even bigger attack in Riyadh when security forces found a car loaded with over 1.2 tonnes of explosives.Another 1.3 tonnes of explosives were found nearby. 

Saudi Arabia has cracked down hard on militants since the May attacks.

Source: Reuters