Saudi Arabia: Riyadh Seeks a Freer Hand for Countermilitancy

Saudi Arabia said Sept. 11 that al Qaeda militants recently killed by the kingdom's security forces had plans to target oil infrastructure. It is unlikely that the militants were actually interested in targeting Saudi oil facilities, as attacking those facilities would create further problems for the militants, who have already been hit badly. Meanwhile, the Saudi government is trying to gain wider public support for its countermilitancy operations, which have thus far been cautious and meticulous.