In the fight against Al-Qaeda, Saudi Arabia and the United States have forged a formidable partnership, standing shoulder-to-shoulder in their efforts to combat terrorism. Saudi Arabia took significant measures to fight terrorism, steps that have won the Kingdom praise from the highest levels of the US administration. For more than 10 years KSA has been the target of Al-Qaeda motivated and directed terrorism. Al-Qaeda’s campaign started in the early 1990s, and it persists in targeting the US and its interests in the Kingdom, the government of KSA, and the US-Saudi relationship.
Terrorist violence in Saudi Arabia witnessed a large upswing, beginning with the devastating coordinated suicide raid on 12 May 2003 in which three Riyadh housing compounds were attacked, killing 35 people. Since then, terrorists have targeted vital infrastructure, international businesses, foreign residents, KSA authorities and the US government. A similar episode to the May 2003 Riyadh bombings, also executed against a Riyadh housing compound, emerged several months later in November 2003. More than 50 people were massacred in the May and November bombings.
The aftermath of the May 2003 bombings dramatically changed the perception of terrorism in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia pushed towards actively seeking out terrorists both within the country and abroad. Hundreds of terrorists have been arrested and close to 2,000 people suspected of terrorism have been questioned. 23 of the 26 most-wanted terrorists have been either destroyed or captured and numerous extraditions have successfully brought terrorism suspects back to the KSA to face justice. Numerous supplies of weapons and explosives have been uncovered, as have masks, including wigs and abayas, as well as documents, CDs and stolen cars.
Through close cooperation with the US and Western counter-terrorism officials, improvements were made. US and Saudi authorities communicate multiple times a day, sharing intelligence and coordinating strategies. In nearly every significant counter-terrorism operation across the globe since 11 September 2001, Riyadh has quietly donated intelligence that has led to key Al-Qaeda leadership assets either being killed or arrested. Many Western experts have loaned their knowledge and experience to their Saudi counterparts and this service has been warmly welcomed by the security and counter-terrorism forces.
Terrorist financing has also been trimmed to a significant extent. Charities suspected of supporting militant groups had closed within the Kingdom. Co-operation with European and US investigators has led to the closing down of suspect charities and foundations abroad. As a result, KSA has put in place some of the most severe financial codes in practice today.
The US-Saudi counter-terrorism relationship has been considered one of the best the George W Bush administration has yet established, the Saudis themselves would approve more can be done to tackle terrorism. Professionalism among the Saudi security forces has enhanced and security is a high priority.
Saudi Arabia’s success stems from a concerted and well-concentrating counter-terrorism strategy. The authorities are careful to sidestep indiscriminate collective punishment and often seek to underestimate the number of casualties. They recognise that Al-Qaeda is the first and only ideology, and the best way to oppose this mindset is to offer an alternative. Success for the Kingdom comes when the idea of violent terrorism no extended holds any appeal for the disaffected and disillusioned. Towards this future, KSA security and counter-terrorism sources are now articulating the need to ‘keep militants busy’ and to create schedules to keep the young and vulnerable away from recruiters and Jihadi ideologues.
