The Saudi government foiled an Al-Qaeda attack on the Haj, reports Middle East Times. The article gives no specifics on the planned attack, but cites various experts, Saudi and Western, commenting on what it might have been. The article covers the steps Saudi Arabia has taken to reduce the terrorist threat in the Kingdom, though it errs in stating that Saudi Arabia has a border with Syria.
Huge Saudi Security Operation Foils Al-Qaida Plot Against Hajj
RICHARD SALEAlerted by Saudi and other intelligence agencies that al-Qaida planned to launch a bloody assault on Muslim pilgrims taking part in the annual pilgrimage – the Hajj – the Saudi government last week launched a huge counterterrorism operation, one of the largest in recent memory, according to U.S. intelligence officials.
Over 3 million Muslims flocked to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage which retraces a route taken by the Prophet Mohammed 14 centuries ago. This year’s event began Dec 6 under the nervous eye of Saudi security forces that included 20,000 ground forces, flights of combat helicopters and a large number of armored vehicles deployed at key locations, U.S. officials said.
In and around Mecca, one of the two most holy sites in Islam, technical and other surveillance was increased and the site was monitored by 10,000 security cameras and Saudi agents mixed in with the pilgrims. Communications between Saudi fast reaction and special security units was improved and capability augmented, U.S. sources said.
No four-wheel vehicles were allowed because of fears of car bombings, these sources said.
There was also a much more strict enforcement of permits required of pilgrims. Those who didn’t have current permits were deported, U.S. officials said.
The Saudi operation began three months ago with preemptive raids by Saudi security forces on suspected al-Qaida cells, according to a former senior CIA official. Several hundred suspects were taken into custody, he said.
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December:16:2008 - 10:59
“Those who didn’t have current permits were deported, U.S. officials said.”
Wow such (anonymously cited) authority and resolve!
But the reality is much different. People were more or less freely entering and leaving the holy cities because individual security officials genuinely believe — as is clearly and unambiguously stated in the Qur’an — that no Muslim can prevent another Muslim from performing Haj. I was told numerous stories of security checkpoint officers waving through everyone. In one story, the officers simply demanded that the Hajis on the bus who do not have permits stand up. Then they let them all through, warning them than they might be caught at the next checkpoint. At the next checkpoint, same thing. I really don’t blame the officers for this — after all they’ve been told all their lives that austere Wahabbism is the way to go — so after filling their heads with this strict austere form of Islam, how do you then ask them to block Muslims from performing Haj?
December:16:2008 - 10:59
I have no idea who that ‘US official’ was, but I suspect it was someone at the US Embassy who did not have authority to speak to the press. It could have been the Ambassador, though, who might not, at that particular time, have been eager to have his name in the press for whatever reason. It happens, and for sometimes good reason.
Even though I had the authority to speak to the media in my job, it wasn’t always politic to do so, particularly if I were frankly discussing a subject touchy to the host government.
On the other hand, the official didn’t actually say much. Likely the reporter included the attribution just to add some weight to the article!
December:16:2008 - 10:59
Are we to believe that Al Qaida is attacking Muslims at Hajj?
Come on?
December:16:2008 - 10:59
Oh, I find it believable, just not very smart. Bringing down the Saudi government–and embarrassing it at Haj would be a major step in that direction–is an Al-Qaeda imperative. That it would blow up in the terrorists faces is no reason to think they wouldn’t go ahead with such a plan as they have demonstrated in the past. Attacks in Saudi Arabia, Iraq, India, etc. have shown that while these guys have the means and some talent in carrying out their plans, the thinking behind the plans is more a matter of dreaming than reality.
December:16:2008 - 10:59
I was never really aware that bringing down the Saudi government and embarrassing it at Hajj was an AQ imperative…
I guess everything is really mumbled because no one is really listening to them anymore? I don’t know really!!!~
I feel like they are losing at any rate