Marines bolster security at US Saudi Arabia consulate
A team of US Marines have arrived in the Red Sea port of Jeddah to assist in security at the US Consulate that came under attack by Islamic militants, a American Embassy official said today.
The anti-terrorism security team arrived yesterday, said embassy spokeswoman Carol Kalin.
She did not provide details, but such teams typically include 50 Marines and are expert in providing security and conducting raids in urban areas, Marine officials in the United States have said. They often are deployed in the aftermath of a terrorist attack. In Jeddah, they will reinforce the consulate’s defences.
The US State Department has warned more terror attacks are possible in the kingdom.
The US military ordered the anti-terrorism security team to Jeddah after five militants shot their way into the facility on Monday, killing five non-American employees. Four Marines were believed to have been inside when the consulate was attacked. US officials have not said if they were involved in the gunfire exchanges.
Four attackers were killed and one was wounded and in police custody.
Interior Ministry spokesman Brig. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said authorities were interrogating the injured attacker – whose identity has not been released – and questioning security officials and witnesses.
Okaz newspaper, which is close to the Interior Ministry, showed pictures of what it said were the bodies of two of the attackers. Both were on their backs, with their arms stretched out to the side.
One, wearing a dark blue shirt and beige trousers, had a thick black beard and appeared to have been shot in his left forearm. The other was in a purple top and dark trousers, with blood on his face and left forearm.
Two other pictures showed overturned white lawn chairs scattered on top of a charred surface.
Journalists have not been permitted inside the compound. The consulate remains closed to the public, but is expected to reopen in the coming days.
Saudi Arabia cracked down on Muslim extremists after the May 2003 bombings of three residential compounds in Riyadh, the attacks that brought terrorism home to the kingdom. Officials and diplomats say the militants’ capabilities have diminished but warn the threat of further attacks remain.
