As the Kingdom braces itself for a huge influx of Umrah pilgrims during the holy month of Ramadan, the Saudi interior Ministry has ruled out the possibility of a terror attack during the holy month.
Lt. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, spokesman rof the Interior Ministry, made the comments in the wake of new security and travel warnings issued by the Australian and British goverments yesterday.
Saudi Arabia is adequately prepared to face any emergency and we are prepared round the year to cope with any eventuality. We are also ready to foil any such plans,” said Al-Turki.
”The security forces are alert and they are keeping a watch round-the-clock. Suspects are not detained by security forces without any rhyme or reason… suspects, in fact are first questioned and their movements are closely monitered , before they are arrested , ” he added.
The Australian government issued a warning yesterday asking its citizens to consider whether they need to travel to the Kingdom ”at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack.”
”Australia continues to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of Western interests including recidential compounds and gattherings of foreighners. Symbols and building associated with the Saudi government are also possible targets.” said the warning.
”Terrorist attacks could occur at any time, anywhere in Saudi Arabia, including in Riyadh, Alkhobar and other major cities,” it added.
In another warning , the British government highlighted ”credible” reports that terrorists are planning attacks on Westerners.
A notice on the British Embassy’s website warned of a continuing ”high threat” of terrorism in the Kingdom. Australia and Britain have followed an Amarican Embassy warning issued on July 25 that militants were probably ploting new attacks.
Asked about the number of people released from among the 701 militants arrested since the biggining of this year, Al-Turki said he was unable to say. ”One can imagine the amount of security and police works involved in screening such a large number of people,” he said, adding that the authorities are still looking for more miilitants.
Al-Turki said there is no specific threat during Ramadan, adding that details about any reinforcement or development of additional number of security forces in Makkah and Madinah were not immidiately available.
Asked about the move to fingerprint travelers during this year’s Haj, Al-Turki said, ”This measure is unrelated to any terror ploy or plan.” The Kingdom recently announced a plan to fingerprint all arriving passengers and pilgrims to create a database that would include information about pilgrims, including their digital photo. The government is addopting the measure to check on those who enter the Kingdom on fake or forged passports.
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