A hostage drama which unfolded over the weekend in Saudi Arabia has ended and all of the hostages have been released. According to reports, about 16 people were killed during the attacks, among them seven foreigners. Others were Saudi civilians and soldiers.
A group of armed men, reportedly linked to the international Al-Qa’ida organization stormed several locations in the industrial town of Al-Khobar on Saturday morning and took some 50 people hostage. According to Saudi security sources, hostages included Americans and Italians.
The first location hit was the Khobar headquarters of APICORP (Arab Petroleum Investments Corporation) and its housing facilities. Six people were killed, including a 10-year-old Egyptian boy whose father worked there.
Attackers later stormed the Petroleum Center headquarters nearby and killed at least four people, including an American.
The attackers then opened fire on a residential building in the Oasis Compound where they took hostages. The Oasis Compound is said to be an exclusive housing complex with restaurants and a health club frequented by Saudi and non-Saudis alike.
Many of the people who live at the Al-Khobar compound work in the petroleum industry.
Following the rescue operation on Sunday morning, security forces arrested seven of the attackers, but a security source said others remain at large, according to Reuters.
Saudi forces apparently tried to convince the gunmen to surrender and free hostages before an exchange of fire started.
A group affiliated to Al-Qa’ida called the Jerusalem Squadrons took responsibility for the attacks posting a message on the Internet, although the message has not been authenticated.
The U.S. Embassy in the Saudi capital Riyadh issued a warden message urging American citizens in the kingdom to leave following the attacks. American personnel at the embassy have been advised not to leave the diplomatic quarter until further notice.
According to some reports, in addition to the seven armed men who were arrested, two armed men were killed by Saudi security forces. More hostages were also killed in the operation, although their number is still unclear.