Four policemen and a suspected al-Qaeda member were killed in clashes in Riyadh today 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 started. Other sources said four policemen and a militant were killed in the pitched battles that broke out. More than 15 people were wounded.
Ambulances sped from several houses in the district which is known as a fundamentalist stronghold.
Police cordoned off the area, preventing passers-by and reporters from approaching.
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.
Washington and Riyadh blame the bombings on al-Qaeda. 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 cooperation in tackling Saudi-based al-Qaeda elements and those who helped finance the group.