Saudi authorities have arrested five Al Qaida operatives linked to the Feb. 24 attack on the Abqaiq refinery in the eastern portion of the kingdom. This brings to 18 the number of Al Qaida operatives suspected of being involved in the unsuccessful strike.The Interior Ministry said the latest arrests -- announced last week -- were of those alleged to have prepared the vehicles in the apparent suicide strike on Abqaiq. Two vehicles filled with explosives were detonated before they could strike any major facilities in the refinery compound.
About 1.5 tons of explosives were found in a warehouse outside Riyad, the ministry said. The detainees were not identified.