Attack on Abqaiq Oil Facility Foiled
DHAHRAN, 25 February 2006 — The Kingdom yesterday foiled a terrorist attack on its largest oil processing facility at Abqaiq in the Eastern Province.
This is the Arab News‘ story reporting the attack on ARAMCO’s oil facility at Abqaiq. Written several hours after the attack, it helps clear the air of some of the ambiguous early reporting.
There were two cars involved, not three, for instance.
The story notes that security sources say it’s still too early to identify the attackers. Given that little remains of them, it will probably depend on DNA analysis.
It quotes a British security analyst who says,
that while it was disturbing that militants could still take a plot to such an advanced stage, the operation was “reckless†from a strategic point of view in Al-Qaeda’s efforts to win over the public opinion because oil is the lifeline of the Saudi economy.“It shows that as the group fragmented under the relentless pressure of the security crackdown, there has been evident loss of strategic and tactical skill,†he said. “Obviously it is disturbing that another attack happened but the fact that it was thwarted shows that Saudi Arabia’s efforts to take security seriously have borne some fruit.â€
An article from The Saudi Gazette, datelined Dammam, has some eye-witness reporting that’s of interest. That story also mentions an apparently unrelated event: the arrests outside Riyadh on Thursday of three suspects with machine guns.
A further item of note in the piece talks about how teachers and students at a Quran school left their classes to find CDs of jihadist materials on their windshields. The materials were turned over to security personnel and an investigation launched.
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February:25:2006 - 11:25
I’d agree with the British analyst. This operation is so tone deaf to the resulting publicity, so lacking in al Qaeda’s traditional skills (no infidels killed, no simultaneous attacks) – it’s not likely to be al Qaeda.
Do you think Shia groups could be involved?
February:25:2006 - 11:30
Saudi capitalism
Saudi financed suicide bombers made an apparent attempt to blow up a major source of their income. The attack appears to have been successful, at least from the point…
February:25:2006 - 12:06
Whodunnit?
Al Qaeda has claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack on a Saudi oil facility at Abqaiq, when Saudi security guards apparently stopped two suicide bombers who were trying to storm the world’s biggest oil processing plant.
…
February:25:2006 - 12:19
I don’t see any reason to assume Shi’a involvement. Particularly since Abdullah’s raprochement with the Shi’a, they’ve been involved in politics. They’d have nothing to gain, but a lot to lose were their involvement to be proved.
February:25:2006 - 12:21
I don’t see where you find any “success” in this? The perps were killed, oil production was unaffected.
What the attack did do was to remind Saudis that their way of life is still under attack by extremists. It drove up oil prices–but for no really good reason–and that seems counter to their aim of stopping production, and therefore oil income.
February:25:2006 - 14:06
their aim of stopping production, and therefore oil income.
Is that what al Qaeda’s aim is supposed to be? Why on earth would they want to cut off their own income? They’re a corporation. How are they supposed to pay for every-three-week vacations and benefits?
February:25:2006 - 15:11
Why, they’d expect all the grateful people to just positively jump back to work and make things fine!
February:25:2006 - 15:19
okay..