Saudi checkpoint attacked in Jeddah

Two security personnel are killed as security forces surround a building in Jeddah.

Map of Saudi Arabia detailing Jeddah
Security forces have surrounded a building in Jeddah

Earlier Al Arabiya television reported ambulances were taking wounded people away from the scene of the fighting in the Ruwais area of the city and that helicopters were being deployed.
 
A witness said scores of security personnel were deployed around the Ruwais area in al-Sharafiya district and around the Ruwais prison after the shootout.

“There are many, many police patrol vehicles and vans and ambulances in every alley,” the witness said.

 
The resident said police had cordoned off areas where diplomatic missions were located in the city.
Other residents said terror suspects are believed to be among those held in the prison.
 
General Mansur al-Turki, an interior ministry spokesman, said he could “not confirm any arrest among the assailants”.
 
Security forces “lost trace” of the gunmen after besieging their hideout for several hours and exchanging fire sporadically, al-Turki said.
 
He said that when the security forces “stormed the building in which they had barricaded themselves, they found no one”.

Saudi Arabia is fighting a violent campaign against al-Qaeda supporters.

On December 2, the Saudi authorities said they have detained 136  terror suspects including a would-be suicide bomber.

Prince Nayef bin Abdul-Aziz , the interior minister, said on Monday the suspects, who included foreigners, were planning a series of suicide bombings and assassinations.

Source: News Agencies