SAUDI ARABIA: Four policemen and a Muslim militant were killed in clashes in Riyadh yesterday after Saudi security forces raided a militant stronghold in the city.
Saudi Arabia has launched a series of raids in recent months on militants suspected of links to Saudi-born Osama bin Laden's al-Qaeda network since suicide bombings killed 35 people, including nine Americans, in Riyadh in May.
"The shooting has now eased off," one security source said more than five hours after the clashes began.
Other sources said four policemen and a militant were killed in the battles. "More than 15 were wounded," a security source said.
A resident reached by phone in the southern neighbourhood of Riyadh said at least five houses were targeted in the raid.
"Security forces are using helicopters," said the resident about the fighting, in which the sound of machine-guns and exploding grenades echoed through the area. "The operation is very big. The whole area is surrounded by security police. It is a big area."
Residents saw police drag out and arrest suspected militants.
"I saw one man break free from police and run away after kicking off his shoes. Police were chasing him," a resident said.
The district is known as a fundamentalist stronghold. Police cordoned it off, preventing passers-by and reporters from approaching.
It was the second consecutive day of violence in the capital. On Monday, Saudi police arrested 10 men who allegedly belonged to a terrorist cell planning to attack a British target, according to a Saudi government official.
Mr Saad al-Fagih, of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia, a London-based opposition group, said the clashes were the latest in a series over the past two weeks. He said three "major incidents" in Mecca, Medina and al-Jawf last week had gone unreported.
Facing US criticism of laxity in tackling al-Qaeda, Saudi Arabia has cracked down harder on Islamic militants after the May bombings which targeted compounds housing foreigners. Police have arrested more than 200 suspects since then.
Last month, Interior Minister Prince Nayef said the kingdom would eliminate Muslim militants spreading terror just as one would remove a "sick body organ".
Western sources in Saudi Arabia say the authorities are providing unprecedented security co-operation in tackling Saudi-based al-Qaeda elements and those who helped finance the group, blamed for the September 11th attacks on the US.
Opposition sources say the situation has been inflamed by the release last week of six Britons who had been imprisoned on terrorism charges.
"The release of the westerners angered a lot of people," said Mr Ali al-Ahmad, of the US-based Saudi Institute. "Saudis who have spent years in prison with no lawyers or charges are upset."
The May bombings sparked unprecedented public discussion on the role of religion in Saudi society, with some arguing that the strict form of Islam preached there fostered intolerance and extremism.