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Arabia
What appears to have happened in Jeddah
2004-12-07
Al Qaida has succeeded in fighting its way into the U.S. consulate in Saudi Arabia and holding the facility for several hours. Saudi security sources said five Al Qaida operatives, employing a car bomb and grenades, blasted their way into the U.S. consulate in Jedda on Monday and held the facility for about two hours. The sources said Al Qaida insurgents killed at least four Saudi National Guard officers and injured a U.S. staffer before Saudi commandos stormed the consulate and killed most of the attackers. A U.S. official later denied that any Americans were injured.

"I can confirm there has been an attack on the U.S. consulate in Jedda," U.S. embassy spokeswoman Carole Kalin said. At one point, Al Qaida was believed to have held up to 18 hostages inside the U.S. consulate. Within an hour of the attack, about 200 Saudi troops, backed by attack helicopters, surrounded the building and then stormed the consulate.
Posted by:Dan Darling

#7  Al Qaida has succeeded in fighting its way into the U.S. consulate in Saudi Arabia

I wouldn't call it much of a success.
Posted by: Chomose Unomomp1553   2004-12-07 2:25:39 PM  

#6  Ah, the BMW was surrounded. That explains it, heh. ;-)
Posted by: .com   2004-12-07 1:06:17 PM  

#5  LOL! Hi Lucky! How's the head?
Posted by: Shipman   2004-12-07 1:06:05 PM  

#4  Methinks they loaded the files into a waiting BMW's spacious trunk, its powerful V-12 left idling out back, and, before they could be stopped, was able to make a screeching getaway with AKs blasting away from every window while silk head bands blow in the wind. Large toothy smiles could be seen inside the sleek, leather trimed, sedans interior.
Posted by: Lucky   2004-12-07 1:03:14 PM  

#3  Agreed. What did the terrorists and the Saudis (is there a difference?) do with files and information found while they were in the consulate? Just a vicious black bag job? By whom?
Posted by: Mrs. Davis   2004-12-07 11:49:31 AM  

#2  Remembering that many members of the Saudi security forces -- including those who guard the royal family -- are either al Qaeda sympathisers or actually on two payrolls, should we think that the security forces merely reacting to events as they happen?
Posted by: trailing wife   2004-12-07 11:41:28 AM  

#1  what makes me cringe is saudi security forces are responsive and reactive , not pro active . This lets the terrorists set the pattern and pace of events . Now is this deliberate , you tell me ?
Posted by: MacNails   2004-12-07 9:30:11 AM  

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