Saudi security forces have launched a massive search for three gunmen who escaped the site of the hostage-taking and killing of 22 civilians over the weekend in the town Al-Khobar, news sources report.
A group of armed men, reportedly linked to Al-Qa’ida, stormed several locations in the industrial town on Saturday morning and took some 50 people hostage. Forty-one people were successfully released and 25 were reported injured, according to reports.
In the wake of the attack, Al-Qa’ida has allegedly threatened to continue their fight to “cleanse the Arabian Peninsula of infidels,” though the origin of the statement has not been confirmed.
Saudi security forces have been conducting sweeping searches for the trio, setting up checkpoints throughout the country.
The group’s leader and fourth member was apprehended during the rescue of hostages on Sunday.
Most of the civilians killed were foreigners.
Accordingly, several Western countries, including the U.S. and Great Britain, have re-urged their nationals to avoid Saudi Arabia, reinforcing existing travel warnings on the Gulf monarchy. At the same time, Saudi oil executives have reassured foreign investors that the country is secure.
Saudi Arabia purports to be a U.S. ally in the war on terror, offering rewards for assistance in apprehending terrorists. The kingdom has witnessed several deadly terror attacks in recent years as well as stalwart attempts by security forces to eliminate terror networks.