Saudi Arabia: Suspected terrorists arrested in Mecca

Event

Saudi authorities announced on May 22 that several suspected terrorists had been arrested in Mecca. The arrests occurred following a raid on an apartment building in the Aziziyah district, in close proximity to the Grand Mosque. An investigation is reportedly ongoing.

Context

Local authorities typically report a heightened terrorism threat during the month of Ramadan (mid-May to mid-June in 2018), and increased security measures should be expected in major urban areas, including Mecca. In June 2017, a planned suicide bomb attack on the Grand Mosque during Ramadan was reportedly thwarted by Saudi authorities.

The threat of terrorism in Saudi Arabia remains high throughout the year due generally to the tense regional geopolitical climate, as well as more specifically the country's direct and indirect political and military involvement abroad (e.g. the country's controversial intervention in the ongoing Yemeni conflict). It is estimated that over 2000 Saudis have left the country to join the Islamic State (IS) group, giving rise to fears that they could return to perpetrate attacks within the kingdom.

Advice

Given the prevailing terrorist risk in Saudi Arabia, those present in the country are advised to exercise caution at all times, to keep a low profile, and to avoid public places lacking adequate security measures or locations deemed particularly likely to be targeted in the event of an attack (e.g., official buildings, military zones, etc.). Report all suspicious objects or behavior to authorities.