Saudi security forces have arrested 41 suspected militants in a series of raids across the kingdom, thwarting imminent attacks, the Interior Ministry said tonight.
The world's top oil producer has been fighting a wave of al-Qaeda inspired attacks over the past two years, which have killed 91 foreign nationals and Saudi civilians.
"Security forces succeeded in surrounding elements of this criminal gang and was able to expose their plans ... and prevent imminent attacks," the ministry said in a statement.
Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya satellite channel broadcast footage of the raids, showing special security forces exchanging fire with gunmen. The footage also showed security forces blowing up buildings where the suspected militants had been hiding.
13 of those arrested were detained on August 18th, the day al-Qaeda's top leader in the country, Saleh al-Awfi, was killed.
A security source said Awfi and another wanted Saudi militant, Majed al-Hasseri, had killed themselves during raids.
The Interior Ministry said security forces have since detained an additional 28 people across the kingdom, bringing to 41 the number of people arrested since August 18th.
Security forces seized more than $49,600, documents and equipment, as well as a cache of weapons and bombs hidden in a well in Medina and other sites, the statement said.
Awfi was one of a few fugitives remaining on a list of 26 most wanted militants.
In June, officials issued a new list of 36 wanted suspects. It was not clear whether any of those detained were on that list.